Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a refrigerator, the refrigerator including an ice mater including a first tray and a second try provided in a storage space and coupled to each other to define a ice chamber and a driving part that rotates the second tray, a first heater provided in the first tray to heat the first tray, a second heater provided in the second tray to heat the second tray, and an ejector provided below the second tray to press an external portion of the second tray to separate ice from the second tray when the second tray is rotated for ice separation, and a controller that controls operation of the ice maker, the method including starting ice making by supplying water to the ice chamber; heating the second tray by turning on the second heater during ice making; heating the first tray by turning on the first heater for ice separation after completion of ice making; and heating the second tray by turning on the second heater for ice separation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, refrigerators are home appliances that allow low-temperature storage of food in an internal storage space that is shielded by a door.

The refrigerator may cool the inside of a storage space using cold air, thereby storing stored foods in a refrigerated or frozen state.

In general, an ice maker for making ice is provided in the refrigerator.

The ice maker is configured to make ice by receiving water supplied from a water supply source or a water tank in a tray.

In addition, the ice maker is configured to separate ice that has been made from the ice tray by a heating method or a twisting method.

On the other hand, when the shape of the ice is formed in a spherical shape, it may be more convenient to use the ice and it is possible to provide a different feeling of use to the user. In addition, even when storing the produced ice, it is possible to minimize ice agglomeration by minimizing the contact area between ices.

An ice maker is provided in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1850918, which is a prior document.

The ice maker of the prior document includes an upper tray having upper cells that each has a hemispherical shape and including a plurality of link guides extending upward from both side ends of the upper tray; a lower tray having lower cells that each has a hemispherical shape, the lower tray being rotatably connected to the upper tray; a rotation shaft connected to the lower tray and the upper tray and configured to rotate the lower tray relative to the upper tray; a pair of links each having one end connected to the lower tray and the other end connected to the link guide; and an upper ejecting pin assembly connected to the links and having both ends inserted in the link guides, the connection of the upper ejecting pin assembly to the links causing the upper ejecting pin assembly to move up and down with rotation of the lower tray in a manner guided by the link guides.

In the case of the prior document, the ice maker further include an ice separating heater for heating the upper cell for ice separation but when only the upper cell is heated, the time for ice separation becomes long and the separation of ice from the lower cell is not smooth.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

The present disclosure provides a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator, in which a lower heater provided in a lower tray is turned on to apply heat for ice separation to melt the surface of ice bound to the tray to facilitate ice separation when ice making has been completed.

In addition, the present disclosure provides a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator which perform stable ice separation by identifying a case of non-full ice, a case of full ice, or a case where full ice is released after ice has been full for the first time and controlling a position of the lower tray and determining whether to operate a heater.

In addition, the present disclosure provides a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator which perform control to resolve an abnormal state of a lower tray when the abnormal state of the lower tray is detected.

Technical Solution

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a refrigerator, the refrigerator including an ice mater including a first tray and a second try provided in a storage space and coupled to each other to define a ice chamber and a driving part that rotates the second tray, a first heater provided in the first tray to heat the first tray, a second heater provided in the second tray to heat the second tray, and an ejector provided below the second tray to press an external portion of the second tray to separate ice from the second tray when the second tray is rotated for ice separation, and a controller that controls operation of the ice maker, the method including starting ice making by supplying water to the ice chamber; heating the second tray by turning on the second heater during ice making; heating the first tray by turning on the first heater for ice separation after completion of ice making; and heating the second tray by turning on the second heater for ice separation.

The second heater may be turned on after the first heater is turned on for ice separation after the completion of ice making.

After the first heater is turned on, the second heater may be turned on when a temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the ice chamber reaches a first reference temperature within a first reference period of time.

After the first heater is turned on, the second heater may be turned on when a temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the ice chamber had reached a first reference temperature.

After the first heater is turned on, the second heater may be turned on when a time which has elapsed after one of the first heater and the second heater is turned on had reached a first reference time.

The method may further include simultaneously or subsequently turning off the first heater and the second heater.

The first heater and the second heater may be simultaneously or subsequently turned off when a time which has elapsed after the second heater is turned on had reached a set time.

The method may further include simultaneously or subsequently turning off the first heater and the second heater when a temperature detected by the temperature sensor within a set time after the second heater is turned on had reached an OFF reference temperature.

The method may further include simultaneously or subsequently turning off the first heater and the second heater when a temperature detected by the temperature sensor after the second heater is turned on had reached an OFF reference temperature.

The method may further include operating the driving part to start to rotate the second tray when the first heater and the second heater are all turned off.

The method may further include operating, by the controller, the driving part after operating one of the first heater and the second heater for a predetermined time when a change in signal is not detected within a set time in a position detection sensor while the driving part is operating.

The method may further include determining, by the controller, whether the second tray has reached an initial position for ice making within the predetermined time, and repeatedly performing control to operate the driving part such that one of the first heater for the reference time and the second heater is operated and the second tray is moved to the initial position when it is determined that the second tray has reached an initial position for ice making within the predetermined time.

The method may further include outputting, by the controller, an error through an output unit when a number of repetitions of the control has reached a reference number.

The ice maker may include a full ice detection device configured to detect whether an ice bin is full of ice, and the starting to rotate the second tray further includes detecting whether the ice bin is full of ice through the full ice detection device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include a cabinet configured to define a storage space; an ice maker provided inside the space to make ice through supply of cold air; a controller configured to control operation of the ice maker, wherein the ice maker includes a first tray defining an upper portion of an ice chamber in which ice is produced; a second tray defining a lower portion of the ice chamber and formed of a deformable material; a driving part configured to rotate the second tray; a first heater provided in the first tray to heat the first tray when being turned on during ice separation; a second heater provided in the first tray to heat the second tray when being turned on during ice making; and an ejector provided below the second tray to separate ice from the second tray by pressing the second tray rotated for ice separation, and the second heater is turned on during ice separation to heat the second try.

The second heater may be turned on after the first heater is turned on for ice separation after the completion of ice making.

The first heater and the second heater may be simultaneously or subsequently turned off when a time which has elapsed after the second heater is turned on had reached a set time.

When a change in signal is not detected within a set time in a position detection sensor while the driving part is operating, the controller may be configured to operate the driving part such that the second tray is moved to an initial position after operating the heater for a reference time.

The controller may be configured to determine whether the second tray has reached an initial position within the predetermined time, and repeatedly perform a control to operate the driving part such that the heater is operated for the reference time and the second tray is moved to the initial position when it is determined that the second tray has reached an initial position for ice making within the predetermined time.

The second tray may be located below the first tray, the first heater may be in contact with the second tray, and the second heater may be in contact with the first tray.

Advantageous Effects

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an advantage in that the surface of ice bound to the tray is melted by applying heat for ice separation to the upper tray and the lower tray to facilitate the ice separation when the ice making has been completed.

In addition, there is an advantage in that the time for ice separation is shortened by applying heat for ice separation to both the upper tray and the lower tray.

In addition, since ice is produced from the upper portion as the lower heater is operated during the ice making, bubbles move to the lower side, and finally, the bubbles exist only in the local portion of the ice at the lowermost side, thus making the spherical ice transparent as a whole.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the ice separation control is started, the ice separation can be easily performed by operating the heater for ice separation and rotating the lower tray by operating the driving motor in the forward direction.

On the other hand, it is possible to detect whether the ice is full during the ice separation, identify a case of non-full ice, a case of full ice, or a case where full ice is released after ice has been full for the first time and control the position of the lower tray and whether to the heater, thus performing stable ice separation.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when an abnormal state of the lower tray is detected, control for resolving the abnormal state of the lower tray may be performed, so that ice making is possible immediately after the abnormal state is resolved.

In addition, although the control for resolving the abnormal state of the lower tray is performed, when the abnormal state cannot be resolved, an error is output to enable the user to easily check the error state.

In addition, since the lower tray may be moved to the initial position in the reverse direction after performing the control for resolving the abnormal state, it is possible to prevent water in the lower tray from falling downward even when the water is present in the lower tray.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 is opened.

FIGS. 3 to 5 are top perspective views of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of an upper case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of an upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a view schematically showing a state in which a heater is coupled to the upper case of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a heater coupling portion in the upper case of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a view showing arrangement of wires connected to the heater in the upper case.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of an upper assembly.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a lower assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lower heater is coupled to the lower supporter of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24′ of FIG. 3.

FIG. 25 is a view showing a state in which ice making has been completed in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are flowcharts for describing a process of making ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a graph showing signals output from a Hall sensor for each position of a lower tray.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling movement of a lower tray by a driving part.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart for describing a process of making ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 is a view for describing operation of a heater during ice separation in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart for describing a process of making ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 34 to 38 are flowcharts for describing an ice separation process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 39 is a view showing a state in which water supply has been completed while a lower tray is moved to a water supply position.

FIG. 40 is a view showing a state in which a lower tray is moved to a ice making position.

FIG. 41 is a view showing a state in which ice making has been completed at an ice making position.

FIG. 42 is a view showing a lower tray at an initial stage of ice separation.

FIG. 43 is a view showing the position of a lower tray in a full ice detection position.

FIG. 44 is a view showing a lower tray in an ice separation position.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. In adding the reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the identical or equivalent component is designated by the identical numeral even when they are displayed on other drawings. Further, in describing the embodiment of the present disclosure, a detailed description of well-known features or functions will be ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure.

In describing the components of the embodiment according to the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, “A”, “B”, (a), (b), and the like may be used. These terms are merely intended to distinguish one component from another component, and the terms do not limit the nature, sequence or order of the constituent components. It should be noted that if it is described in the specification that one component is “connected,” “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly “connected,” “coupled,” and “joined” to the latter or “connected”, “coupled”, and “joined” to the latter via another component.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 is opened.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 2 defining a storage space and a door opening and closing the storage space.

Specifically, the cabinet 2 may define a storage space partitioned vertically by a barrier, and include a refrigerating compartment 3 positioned at an upper portion, and a freezing compartment 4 positioned at a lower portion.

Storage members such as drawers, shelves, and baskets may be provided inside the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4.

The door may include a refrigerating compartment door 5 for shielding the refrigerating compartment 3 and a freezing compartment door 6 for shielding the freezing compartment 4.

The refrigerator compartment door 5 includes a pair of left and right doors, and may be opened and closed by the rotation thereof. The freezing compartment door 6 may be configured to be drawn in and out in a drawer type.

It should be noted that the arrangement of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4 and the shape of the door may vary depending on the type of refrigerator, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be applied to various types of refrigerators. For example, the freezing compartment 4 and the refrigerating compartment 3 are arranged left and right, but it may be also possible that the freezing compartment 4 is located above the refrigerating compartment 3.

An ice maker 100 may be provided in the freezing compartment 4. The ice maker 100 may produce ice in a spherical shape by making ice from supplied water. Of course, it may be also possible that the ice maker 100 is provided in the freezing compartment door 6, the refrigerating compartment 3, or the refrigerating compartment door 5.

In addition, an ice bin 102 may be further provided under the the ice maker 100 to store ice after being separated from the ice maker 100.

The ice maker 100 and the ice bin 102 may be mounted in the freezing compartment 4 while being accommodated in a separate housing 101.

A duct (not shown) for supplying cold air to the freezing compartment 100 may be provided in the freezing compartment 4. Air discharged from the duct may flow to the freezing compartment 4 after flowing through the ice maker 100.

A user may obtain ice by opening the freezing compartment door 6 to access the ice bin 102.

As another example, the refrigerator compartment door 5 may include a dispenser 7 for dispensing purified water or produced ice from the outside.

The ice produced by the ice maker 100 or the ice produced by the ice maker 100 and stored in the ice bin 102 may be transferred to the dispenser 7 by a transfer means to enable the user to obtain the ice from the dispenser 7.

Hereinafter, the ice maker will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 3 to 5 are top perspective views of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, the ice maker 100 may include an upper assembly 110 and a lower assembly 200.

The upper assembly 110 may be referred to as a first tray assembly, and the lower assembly 200 may be referred to as a second tray assembly.

The lower assembly 200 may be movable with respect to the upper assembly 110. For example, the lower assembly 200 may be rotated with respect to the upper assembly 110.

When the lower assembly 200 is in contact with the upper assembly 110, the lower assembly 200 may form spherical ice together with the upper assembly 110.

That is, the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 may configure an ice chamber 111 for generating spherical ice. The ice chamber 111 has a substantially spherical shape.

The upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 may form a plurality of ice chambers 111 which are separate from one another.

Hereinafter, the formation of three ice chambers 111 by the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 will be described as an example, and it should be noted that the number of ice chambers 111 is not limited.

When the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 form the ice chamber 111, water may be supplied to the ice chamber 111 through a water supply part 190.

The water supply part 190 may be coupled to the upper assembly 110 to guide water supplied from the outside to the ice chamber 111.

After the ice is made, the lower assembly 200 may be rotated in a forward direction. Then, the spherical ice formed between the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 may be separated from the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200.

The ice maker 100 may further include a driving part 180 such that the lower assembly 200 is rotatable with respect to the upper assembly 110.

The driving part 180 may include a driving motor and a driving force transfer part for transferring the driving force of the driving motor to the lower assembly 200. The driving force transfer part may include one or more gears.

The driving motor may be a bidirectional rotatable motor. Accordingly, bidirectional rotation of the lower assembly 200 may be possible.

To separate ice from the upper assembly 110, the ice maker 100 may further include an upper ejector 300.

The upper ejector 300 may separate the ice adhering to the upper assembly 110 from the upper assembly 110.

The upper ejector 300 may include an ejector body 310 and a plurality of upper ejecting pins 320 extending in a direction crossing the ejector body 310.

The upper ejection pins 320 may be provided in the same number as the ice chambers 111. Separation prevention protrusions 312 may be provided at both ends of the ejector body 310 to prevent separation from a connection unit 350 to be described later while being coupled to the connection unit 350.

For example, a pair of separation prevention protrusions 312 may protrude in opposite directions from the ejector body 310.

When the upper ejecting pin 320 is inserted into the ice chamber 111 by passing through the upper assembly 110, the ice in the ice chamber 111 may be pressed.

The ice pressed by the upper ejecting pin 320 may be separated from the upper assembly 110.

In addition, the ice maker 100 may further include a lower ejector 400 such that ice adhered to the lower assembly 200 is separated therefrom.

The lower ejector 400 may press the lower assembly 200, so that the ice adhered to the lower assembly 200 is separated from the lower assembly 200. The lower ejector 400 may be fixed to the upper assembly 110, for example.

The lower ejector 400 may include an ejector body 410 and a plurality of lower ejecting pins 420 protruding from the ejector body 410. The lower ejecting pins 420 may be provided in the same number as that of the ice chambers 111.

In the process of rotating the lower assembly 200 for ice separation, a rotational force of the lower assembly 200 may be transferred to the upper ejector 300.

To this end, the ice maker 100 may further include a connection unit 350 connecting the lower assembly 200 and the upper ejector 300. The connection unit 350 may include one or more links.

For example, the connection unit 350 may include a first link 352 configured to rotate the lower supporter 270, and a second link 356 connected to the lower supporter 270 to transfer the rotational force of the lower supporter 270 to the upper ejector 300 when the lower supporter 270 is rotated.

For example, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in one direction, the upper ejector 300 may be lowered by the connection unit 350 to enable the upper ejector pin 320 to press ice.

On the other hand, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the other direction, the upper ejector 300 may be raised by the connection unit 350 to return to its original position.

Hereinafter, the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 120 will be described in more detail.

The upper assembly 110 may include an upper tray 150 that defines a part of the ice chamber 111 for ice making. For example, the upper tray 150 may define an upper portion of the ice chamber 111. The upper tray 150 may be referred to as a first tray.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of an upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The upper assembly 110 may further include an upper case 120 and an upper supporter 170 for fixing a position of the upper tray 150.

The upper tray 150 may be positioned below the upper case 120. A part of the upper supporter 170 may be located below the upper tray 150.

As described above, the upper case 120, the upper tray 150, and the upper supporter 170 aligned in the vertical direction may be fastened by a fastening member.

That is, the upper tray 150 may be fixed to the upper case 120 through the fastening of the fastening member.

In addition, the upper supporter 170 may support the lower portion of the upper tray 150 to limit the downward movement.

A water supply part 190 may be fixed to the upper case 120, for example.

The ice maker 100 may further include a temperature sensor 500 (or a tray temperature sensor) for detecting a temperature of the upper tray 150.

The temperature sensor 500 may indirectly detect a temperature of water or ice in the ice chamber 111 by, for example, detecting the temperature of the upper tray 150.

The temperature sensor 500 may be mounted on the upper case 120, for example. When the upper tray 150 is fixed to the upper case 120, the temperature sensor 500 may contact the upper tray 150.

Meanwhile, the lower assembly 200 may include a lower tray 250 that defines another part of the ice chamber 111 for ice making. For example, the lower tray 250 may define a lower portion of the ice chamber 111. The lower tray 250 may be referred to as a second tray.

The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower supporter 270 that supports a lower portion of the lower tray 250 and a lower case 210 of which at least a part covers an upper portion of the lower tray 250.

The lower case 210, the lower tray 250, and the lower supporter 270 may be fastened by a fastening member.

Meanwhile, the ice maker 100 may further include a switch 600 for turning on/off the ice maker 100. When the user operates the switch 600 to be turned on, ice may be produced through the ice maker 100.

That is, when the switch 600 is turned on, an ice making process in which water is supplied to the ice maker 100 and ice is produced by cold air, and an ice separation process in which the lower assembly 200 is rotated and ice is separated therefrom may be repeatedly performed.

On the other hand, when the switch 600 is operated to be turned off, ice making may be impossible through the ice maker 100. The switch 600 may be provided, for example, in the upper case 120.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of an upper case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the ice maker 100 may be fixed to the housing 101 in the freezing compartment 4 while the upper tray 150 is fixed.

The upper case 120 may include an upper plate 121 for fixing the upper tray 150.

The upper tray 150 may be fixed to the upper plate 121 while a part of the upper tray 150 is in contact with the lower surface of the upper plate 121.

The upper case 120 may be provided with a heater coupling portion 124 to which an upper heater (see 148 of FIG. 13) for heating the upper tray 150 is coupled for ice separation

The heater coupling portion 124 may be provided in the upper plate 121, for example. The heater coupling portion 124 may be located below a depression 122.

The upper case 120 may further include a pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 on which the temperature sensor 500 are to be installed.

A full ice detection lever 700 may detect whether the ice bin 102 is full while being rotated by receiving a driving force from the driving part 180.

The pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 8. The pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 may be disposed to face each other, and the temperature sensor 500 may be located between the pair of installation ribs 128 and 129.

The pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 may be provided on the upper plate 121.

A plurality of slots 131 and 132 for coupling with the upper tray 150 may be provided on the upper plate 121.

A part of the upper tray 150 may be inserted into the plurality of slots 131 and 132.

The plurality of slots 131 and 132 may include a first upper slot 131 and a second upper slot 132 positioned opposite to the first upper slot 131 with respect to an opening 123.

The opening 123 may be positioned between the first upper slot 131 and the second upper slot 132.

The first upper slot 131 and the second upper slot 132 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5.

Although not limited, the plurality of first upper slots 131 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow A (referred to as a first direction), which is a direction crossing the direction of arrow B (referred to as a second direction).

In addition, the plurality of second upper slots 132 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the direction of the arrow A.

In this specification, the direction of arrow A may be the same direction as the arrangement direction of the plurality of ice chambers 111.

The first upper slot 131 may be formed in a curved shape, for example. Accordingly, the length of the first upper slot 131 may be increased.

The second upper slot 132 may be formed in a curved shape, for example. Accordingly, the length of the second upper slot 133 may be increased.

When the lengths of the upper slots 131 and 132 are increased, the length of the protrusions (formed on the upper tray) inserted into the upper slots 131 and 132 may be increased, so that coupling force between the upper tray 150 and the upper case 120 may be increased.

For example, the other side of the full ice detection lever 700 may be rotatably connected to the upper case 120 below a connection shaft 370 of the connection unit 350. Accordingly, the rotational center of the full ice detection lever 700 may be positioned lower than the connection shaft 370.

A plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5. In addition, a first hinge hole 137 may be formed in each of the hinge supporters 135 and 136.

The plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 may extend downward from the upper plate 121, for example.

The upper case 120 may further include a horizontal extension 142 extending horizontally outward.

The horizontal extension 142 may be provided with a screw fastening portion 142 a protruding to the outside in order to screw the upper case 120 to the housing 101.

Meanwhile, one side of the full ice detection lever 700 may be connected to the driving part 180, and the other side may be connected to the upper case 120.

For example, the other side of the full ice detection lever 700 may be rotatably connected to the upper case 120 below a connection shaft 370 of the connection unit 350.

Accordingly, the rotational center of the full ice detection lever 700 may be positioned lower than the connection shaft 370.

The driving force transferring portion of the driving part 180 may include, for example, a plurality of gears.

Also, the driving part 180 may further include a cam rotated by receiving rotational force of a driving motor, and a moving lever moving along a surface of the cam. A magnet may be provided on the moving lever. The driving part 180 may further include a Hall sensor 951 capable of detecting the magnet when the moving lever is moving.

Among the plurality of gears of the driving part 180, a first gear to which the full ice detection lever 720 is coupled may be selectively coupled to or released from a second gear engaged with the first gear. For example, since the first gear is elastically supported by an elastic member, the first gear may be engaged with the second gear in a state in which external force is not applied.

On the other hand, when a resistance greater than the elastic force of the elastic member is applied to the first gear, the first gear may be spaced apart from the second gear.

The case where a resistance greater than the elastic force of the elastic member is applied to the first gear may include for example, a case where the full ice detection lever 700 may be caught in ice during an ice separation process (in the case of full ice). In this case, since the first gear may be spaced apart from the second gear, damage to the gears may be prevented.

Due to the plurality of gears and cams, the full ice detection lever 700 may be rotated while being interlocked with the lower assembly 200 when the lower assembly 200 is rotated. In this case, the cam may be connected to the second gear or interlocked with the second gear.

Depending on whether the Hall sensor detects a magnet, the Hall sensor may output a first signal and a second signal that are different outputs. One of the first signal and the second signal may be a high signal, and the other may be a low signal.

The full ice detection lever 700 may be rotated from a stand-by position (an ice making position of the lower assembly) to a full ice detection position for full ice detection.

In a state in which the full ice detection lever 700 is positioned in the stand-by position, at least a part of the full ice detection lever 700 may be positioned below the lower assembly 220.

The full ice detection lever 700 may include a detection body 71. The detection body 710 may be positioned at the lowermost side during the rotation operation of the full ice detection lever 700.

The upper case 120 may further include a side peripheral portion 143. The side peripheral portion 143 may extend downward from the horizontal extension 142.

The side peripheral portion 143 may be disposed to surround the periphery of the lower assembly 200. That is, the side peripheral portion 143 may serve to prevent the lower assembly 200 from being exposed to the outside.

The full ice detection lever 700 may be a wire-shaped lever. That is, the full ice detection lever 700 may be formed by bending a wire having a predetermined diameter a plurality of times.

The detection body 710 may extend in a direction parallel to an extension direction of the connection shaft 370. The detection body 710 may be positioned lower than the lowest point of the lower assembly 200 irrespective of its position.

The full ice detection lever 700 may further include a pair of extensions 720 and 730 extending upward from both ends of the detection body 710. The pair of extensions 720 and 730 may extend substantially in parallel. The pair of extensions 720 and 730 may include a first extension 720 and a second extension 730.

A horizontal length of the detection body 710 may be longer than a vertical length of each of the pair of extensions 720 and 730. A distance between the pair of extensions 720 and 730 may be longer than a horizontal length of the lower assembly 200. Accordingly, interference between the pair of extensions 720 and 730 and the lower assembly 200 may be prevented during the rotation of the full ice detection lever 700 and the rotation of the lower assembly 200.

Each of the pair of extensions 720 and 730 may include first extension bars 722 and 732 extending from the detection body 710 and second extension bars 721 and 731 extending to be inclined at a predetermined angle from the first extension bars 722 and 732, respectively.

The full ice detection lever 700 may further include a pair of coupling portions 740 and 750 that are bent and extend from the ends of the pair of extensions 720 and 730. The pair of coupling portions 740 and 750 may include a first coupling portion 740 extending from the first extension 720 and a second coupling portion 750 extending from the second extension 730.

For example, the pair of coupling portions 740 and 750 may respectively extend from the second extension bars 721 and 731. The first coupling portion 740 and the second coupling portion 750 may extend from each other in the extensions 720 and 730 in directions away from each other. The first coupling portion 740 may be connected to the driving part 180, and the second coupling portion 750 may be connected to the upper case 120.

At least a part of the first coupling portion 740 may extend in a horizontal direction. That is, at least a part of the first coupling portion 740 may be parallel to the detection body 710. The first coupling portion 740 and the second coupling portion 750 may provide a rotation center of the full ice detection lever 700.

In this embodiment, the second coupling portion 750 may be coupled to the upper case 120 in an idle state. Accordingly, the first coupling portion 740 may substantially provide a rotation center of the full ice detection lever 700.

The first coupling portion 740 may include a first horizontal extension 741 extending from the first extension 720 in a horizontal direction. In addition, the first coupling portion 740 may further include a bent portion 742 bent at the first horizontal extension 741.

Although not limited, the bent portion 742 may be formed to be inclined downward in a direction away from the first horizontal extension 741 and then inclined upward again.

For example, the bent portion 742 may include a first inclined portion 742 a inclined downward from the first horizontal extension 741 and a second inclined portion 742 b inclined upward from the first inclined portion 742 a.

A boundary portion between the first inclined portion 742 a and the second inclined portion 742 b may be positioned at the lowermost side of the first coupling portion 740.

The reason why the first coupling portion 740 includes the bent portion 742 is to increase coupling force with the driving part 180.

The first coupling portion 740 may further include a second horizontal extension 743 extending from an end of the bent portion 742 in a horizontal direction. For example, the second horizontal extension 743 may extend from the second inclined portion 742 b in a horizontal direction.

The second horizontal extension 743 and the first horizontal extension 741 may be positioned at the same height with respect to the detection body 710. That is, the first horizontal extension 741 and the second horizontal extension 743 may be positioned on the same extension line.

As another example, in this embodiment, the first coupling portion 740 may include only the first horizontal extension 741, include only the first horizontal extension 741 and the bent portion 742, or be directly fastened to a wall defining the freezing compartment 4. Alternatively, the first coupling portion 740 may include only the bent portion 742 and the second horizontal extension 743.

The second coupling portion 750 may include a coupling body 751 extending from the second extension 730 in the horizontal direction and a holding body 752 bent at the coupling body 751.

The coupling body 751 may extend in parallel with the holding body 710, for example. The holding body 752 may extend in the vertical direction, for example. The holding body 752 may extend downward from the coupling body 751.

The holding body 752 may extend in parallel with the second extension 740. The second coupling portion 750 may pass through the upper case 120. A hole 120 a through which the second coupling portion 750 passes may be formed in the upper case 120.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the upper tray 150 may be formed of a flexible material capable of returning to its original shape after being deformed by an external force.

Meanwhile, the upper tray 150 may be formed of a silicon material. As in this embodiment, in a case where the upper tray 150 is formed of a silicon material, the upper tray 150 may return to its original shape even when the shape of the upper tray 150 is deformed by an external force during the ice separation process, so that spherical ice may be produced despite repeated ice making.

In a case where the upper tray 150 is formed of a metal material, when an external force is applied to the upper tray 150 and the upper tray 150 itself is deformed, the upper tray 150 may be no longer restored to its original shape.

In this case, after the shape of the upper tray 150 is deformed, the spherical ice cannot be produced. That is, it may impossible to repeatedly produce spherical ice.

On the other hand, when the upper tray 150 has a flexible material capable of returning to its original shape as in the present embodiment, this problem may be solved.

In addition, when the upper tray 150 is formed of a silicon material, melting or thermal deformation of the upper tray 150 by heat provided by an upper heater, which will be described later, may be prevented.

The upper tray 150 may include an upper tray body 151 defining an upper chamber 152 that is a part of the ice chamber 111.

The upper tray body 151 may define a plurality of upper chambers 152.

The upper tray body 151 may include three chamber walls 153 that form three upper chambers 152 a, 152 b, 152 c, which are independent to one another, and the three chamber walls 153 may be formed as one body and connected to one another.

The first upper chamber 152 a, the second upper chamber 152 b, and the third upper chamber 152 c may be arranged in a line.

The upper chamber 152 may be formed in a hemispherical shape. That is, the upper portion of the spherical ice may be formed by the upper chamber 152.

An inlet opening 154 for introducing water into the upper chamber 152 may be formed at an upper portion of the upper tray body 151. For example, three inlet openings 154 may be formed in the upper tray body 151. Cold air may be introduced to the ice chamber 111 through the inlet opening 154.

During the ice separation, the upper ejector 300 may be inserted into the upper chamber 152 through the inlet opening 154.

When the upper ejector 300 is being inserted through the inlet opening 154, the upper tray 150 may be provided with an inlet wall 155 to minimize deformation of the inlet opening 154.

The inlet wall 155 may be disposed along the periphery of the inlet opening 154, and may extend upward from the upper tray body 151.

The inlet wall 155 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. Accordingly, the upper ejector 300 may pass through the inlet opening 154 by passing through the inner space of the inlet wall 155.

One or more first connecting ribs 155 a may be provided along the periphery of the inlet wall 155 to prevent deformation of the inlet wall 155 when the upper ejector 300 is inserted into the inlet opening 154.

The first connecting rib 155 a may connect the inlet wall 155 and the upper tray body 151. For example, the first connecting rib 155 a may be formed integrally with the periphery of the inlet wall 155 and the outer surface of the upper tray body 151.

Although not limited, a plurality of first connecting ribs 155 a may be disposed along the periphery of the inlet wall 155.

A water supply guide 156 may be provided on the inlet wall 155 corresponding to any one of the plurality of upper chambers 152. Although not limited, the water supply guide 156 may be formed on the inlet wall 155 corresponding to the second upper chamber 152 b.

The water supply guide 156 may be inclined in a direction away from the second upper chamber 152 b toward the upper side from the inlet wall 155.

The upper tray 150 may further include a first accommodating portion 160. The depression 122 of the upper case 120 may be accommodated in the first accommodating portion 160.

Since the heater coupling portion 124 is provided in the depression 122 and the upper heater 148 is provided in the heater coupling portion 124, it can be understood that the upper heater (148 in FIG. 13) is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 160.

The first accommodating portion 160 may be disposed to surround the upper chamber 152. The first accommodating portion 160 may be formed in such a way that the upper surface of the upper tray body 151 is depressed downward.

A heater coupling portion 124 to which the upper heater is coupled may be accommodated in the first accommodating portion 160.

The upper tray 150 may further include a second accommodating portion 161 (or may be referred to as a sensor accommodating portion) in which the temperature sensor 500 is accommodated.

For example, the second accommodating portion 161 may be provided in the upper tray body 151. Although not limited, the second accommodating portion 161 may be formed to be depressed downward from the bottom of the first accommodating portion 160.

In addition, the second accommodating portion 161 may be located between two adjacent upper chambers.

Accordingly, interference between the upper heater accommodated in the first accommodating portion 160 and the temperature sensor 500 may be prevented.

In a state in which the temperature sensor 500 is accommodated in the second accommodating portion 161, the temperature sensor 500 may contact the outer surface of the upper tray body 151.

The chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 may include a vertical wall 153 a and a curved wall 153 b. The curved wall 153 b may be rounded in a direction away from the upper chamber 152 toward the upper side.

The upper tray 150 may further include a horizontal extension 164 extending in the horizontal direction around the periphery of the upper tray body 151. The horizontal extension 164 may extend along the periphery of the upper edge of the upper tray body 151, for example.

The horizontal extension 164 may contact the upper case 120 and the upper supporter 170.

For example, a lower surface 164 b (or may be referred to as a “first surface”) of the horizontal extension 164 may be in contact with the upper supporter 170, and an upper surface 164 a of the horizontal extension 164 (or may be referred to as a “second surface”) may be in contact with the upper case 120.

At least a part of the horizontal extension 164 may be positioned between the upper case 120 and the upper supporter 170.

The horizontal extension 164 may include a plurality of upper protrusions 165 and 166 to be inserted into the plurality of upper slots 131 and 132, respectively.

The plurality of upper protrusions 165 and 166 may include a first upper protrusion 165 and a second upper protrusion 166 positioned opposite to the first upper protrusion 165 with respect to the inlet opening 154.

The first upper protrusion 165 may be inserted into the first upper slot 131, and the second upper protrusion 166 may be inserted into the second upper slot 132.

The first upper protrusion 165 and the second upper protrusion 166 may protrude upward from the upper surface of the horizontal extension 164.

The first upper protrusion 165 and the second upper protrusion 166 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 9. Although not limited, the plurality of first upper protrusions 165 may be arranged to be spaced apart from one another in the direction of arrow A.

In addition, the plurality of second upper protrusions 166 may be arranged to be spaced apart from one another in the direction of arrow A.

The first upper protrusion 165 may be formed, for example, in a curved shape. In addition, the second upper protrusion 166 may be formed, for example, in a curved shape.

In this embodiment, each of the upper protrusions 165 and 166 may not only allow the upper tray 150 and the upper case 120 to be coupled to each other, but also prevent the horizontal extension 264 to be deformed during ice making or ice separation.

In this case, when the upper protrusions 165 and 165 are formed in a curved shape, the distances from the upper chamber 152 to the upper protrusions 165 and 165 in the longitudinal direction of the upper protrusions 165 and 165 are equal to or substantially similar to each other, so that the deformation of the horizontal extension 264 may be effectively prevented.

For example, the horizontal deformation of the horizontal extension 264 is minimized to prevent the horizontal extension 264 from being stretched and plastically deformed. When the horizontal extension part 264 is plastically deformed, the upper tray body is not positioned at a correct position during ice making, so that ice does not have a spherical shape.

The horizontal extension 164 may further include a plurality of lower protrusions 167 and 168 to be inserted into lower slots of the upper supporter 170 to be described later. In addition, a through hole 169 through which a fastening boss of the upper supporter 170, which will be described later, passes may be provided in the horizontal extension 164.

The upper supporter 170 may include a supporter plate 171 in contact with the upper tray 150. For example, an upper surface of the supporter plate 171 may be in contact with the lower surface 164 b of the horizontal extension 164 of the upper tray 150.

A plate opening 172 through which the upper tray body 151 passes may be provided in the supporter plate 171.

A peripheral wall 174 formed by be bent upward may be provided on the edge of the supporter plate 171. The peripheral wall 174 may, for example, contact at least a part of the side edge of the horizontal extension 164.

The upper surface of the peripheral wall 174 may be in contact with the lower surface of the upper plate 121.

The supporter plate 171 may include a plurality of lower slots 176 and 177.

The plurality of lower protrusions 167 and 168 may be inserted into the plurality of lower slots 176 and 177.

The supporter plate 171 may further include a plurality of fastening bosses 175. The plurality of fastening bosses 175 may protrude upward from the upper surface of the supporter plate 171.

Each of the fastening bosses 175 may pass through a through hole 169 of the horizontal extension 164.

The upper supporter 170 may further include a plurality of unit guides 181 and 182 for guiding the connection unit 350 connected to the upper ejector 300. The unit guides 181 and 182 may extend upward from the upper surface of the support plate 171.

Each of the unit guides 181 and 182 may include a guide slot 183 extending in the vertical direction. In a state where both ends of the ejector body 310 of the upper ejector 300 pass through the guide slots 183, the connection unit 350 is connected to the ejector body 310.

Accordingly, when a rotational force is transferred to the ejector body 310 by the connection unit 350 when the lower assembly 200 is rotated, the ejector body 310 may move up and down along the guide slot 183.

FIG. 13 is a view schematically showing a state in which a heater is coupled to the upper case of the present disclosure, FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a heater coupling portion in the upper case of FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a view showing arrangement of wires connected to the heater in the upper case.

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the heater coupling portion 124 may include a heater accommodating groove 124 a for accommodating the upper heater 148. In this embodiment, the upper heater 148 may be referred to as a first heater.

The heater accommodating groove 124 a may be formed, for example, in such a way that a portion of the lower surface of the depression 122 of the upper case 120 is depressed upward.

The heater accommodating groove 124 a may extend along the periphery of the opening 123 of the upper case 120.

The upper heater 148 may be, for example, a wire-type heater. Accordingly, the upper heater 148 may be bent, and the upper heater 148 may be accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 124 a by being bent according to the shape of the heater accommodating groove 124 a.

The upper heater 148 may be a DC heater supplied with DC power. The upper heater 148 may be turned on for ice separation.

When the heat of the upper heater 148 is transferred to the upper tray 150, ice may be separated from the surface (inner surface) of the upper tray 150.

When the upper tray 150 is made of a metal material and the heat of the upper heater 148 is stronger, there may occur a phenomenon in which ice is opaque because ice melted by the upper heater 148 and again adhered to the surface of the upper tray 150 after the upper heater 148 is turned off.

That is, an opaque band with a shape corresponding to the upper heater may be formed around the ice.

However, in the present embodiment, since a DC heater having a low output is used, and the upper tray 150 is formed of a silicon material, the amount of heat transferred to the upper tray 150 may be reduced, and the thermal conductivity of the upper tray 150 itself may be also lowered.

Therefore, since heat is not concentrated on a localized portion of the ice and a small amount of heat is gradually applied to the ice, the ice may be effectively separated from the upper tray while preventing the formation of an opaque band around the ice.

The upper heater 148 may be disposed to surround the periphery of the plurality of upper chambers 152 such that the heat of the upper heater 148 is evenly transferred to the plurality of upper chambers 152 of the upper tray 150.

In addition, the upper heater 148 may be in contact with the periphery of each of the plurality of chamber walls 153 respectively forming the plurality of upper chambers 152. In this case, the upper heater 148 may be positioned lower than the inlet opening 154.

Since the heater accommodating groove 124 a is depressed in the depression 122, the heater accommodating groove 124 a may be defined by an outer wall 124 b and an inner wall 124 c.

The diameter of the upper heater 148 may be larger than the depth of the heater accommodating groove 124 a such that the upper heater 148 protrudes to the outside of the heater coupling portion 124 in a state in which the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 124 a.

Since a part of the upper heater 148 protrudes to the outside of the heater accommodating groove 124 a in a state in which the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 124 a, the upper heater 148 may be in contact with in the upper tray 150.

In order to prevent the upper heater 148 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 124 a from being separated from the heater accommodating groove 124 a, at least one of the outer wall 124 b and the inner wall 124 c may be provided with a separation preventing protrusion 124 d. As an example, it is illustrated that a plurality of separation preventing protrusions 124 d are provided on the inner wall 124 c.

The separation preventing protrusion 124 d may protrude from an end of the inner wall 124 c toward the outer wall 124 b.

In this case, the protrusion length of the separation preventing protrusion 124 d may be less than ½ of the distance between the outer wall 124 b and the inner wall 124 c such that the upper heater 148 is prevented from being easily removed from the heater accommodating groove 124 a while the insertion of the upper heater 148 is not interfering with the separation preventing protrusion 124 d.

In a state in which the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 124 a, the upper heater 148 may be divided into a round portion 148 c and a straight portion 148 d.

That is, the heater accommodating groove 124 a may include a round portion and a straight portion, and the upper heater 148 may include a round portion 148 c and a straight portion 148 d corresponding to the round portion and the straight portion of the heater accommodating groove 124 a.

The round portion 148 c is a portion disposed along the periphery of the upper chamber 152 and is bent to be rounded in a horizontal direction.

The straight portion 148 d is a portion that connects the round portions 148 c respectively corresponding to the upper chambers 152.

Since the upper heater 148 is positioned lower than the inlet opening 154, a line connecting two spaced apart points of the round portion may pass through the upper chamber 152.

Since there is a high possibility that the round portion 148 c of the upper heater 148 will fall out of the heater accommodating groove 124 a, the separation preventing protrusion 124 d may be disposed to contact the round portion 148 c.

A through opening 124 e may be provided in a bottom surface of the heater accommodating groove 124 a. When the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 124 a, a part of the upper heater 148 may be positioned in the through opening 124 e. For example, the through opening 124 e may be positioned at a portion facing the separation preventing protrusion 124 d.

When the upper heater 148 is bent so as to be horizontally rounded, the tension of the upper heater 148 is increased and there is a risk of disconnection, and there is a high possibility that the upper heater 148 falls out of the heater accommodating groove 124 a.

However, when the through opening 124 e is formed in the heater accommodating groove 124 a as in the present embodiment, a part of the upper heater 148 may be located in the through opening 124 e, thus making it possible to decrease tension of the upper heater 148 and prevent the upper heater from falling out of the heater accommodating groove 124 a.

As in FIG. 15, a power input terminal 148 a and a power output terminal 148 b of the upper heater 148 may pass through a heater through hole 125 formed in the upper case 120 in a state in which the power input terminal 148 a and the power output terminal 148 b are arranged side by side.

Since the upper heater 148 is accommodated from the lower side of the upper case 120, the power input terminal 148 a and the power output terminal 148 b of the upper heater 148 may extend upward and pass through the heater through hole 125.

The power input terminal 148 a and the power output terminal 148 b passing through the heater through hole 125 may be connected to one first connector 129 a.

A second connector 129 c to which two wires 129 d connected to correspond to the power input terminal 148 a and the power output terminal 148 b are connected may be connected to the first connector 129 a.

A first guide portion 126 for guiding the upper heater 148, the first connector 129 a, the second connector 129 c and the wire 129 d may be provided on the upper plate 121 of the upper case 120.

In FIG. 15, it is shown that, for example, the first guide portion 126 guides the first connector 129 a.

The first guide portion 126 may extend upward from the upper surface of the upper plate 121, and an upper end thereof may be bent in a horizontal direction.

Accordingly, the bent portion of the upper end of the first guide portion 126 may limit the movement of the first connector 126 in the upward direction.

The wire 129 d may be drawn out of the upper case 120 after being bent in the shape of proximately “U” to prevent interference with surrounding structures.

Since the wire 129 d extends in a bent state one or more times, the upper case 120 may further include wire guides 127 and 128 for fixing the position of the wire 129 d.

The wire guides 127 and 128 may include a first guide 127 and a second guide 128 spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction. The first guide 127 and the second guide 128 may be bent in a direction corresponding to the bending direction of the wire 129 d such that damage to the bent wire 129 d is minimized.

That is, each of the first guide 127 and the second guide 128 may include a curved portion.

In order to limit the upward movement of the wire 129 d positioned between the first guide 127 and the second guide 128, one of the first guide 127 and the second guide 128 may include an upper guide 127 a extending toward the other guide.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of an upper assembly.

Referring to FIG. 16, the upper case 120, the upper tray 150, and the upper supporter 170 may be coupled to each other in a state in which the upper heater 148 is coupled to the heater coupling portion 124 of the upper case 120.

When the upper assembly 110 is assembled, the heater coupling portion 124 to which the upper heater 148 is coupled is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 160 of the upper tray 150.

In a state in which the heater coupling portion 124 is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 160, the upper heater 148 may be in contact with the bottom surface 160 a of the first accommodating portion 160.

As in the present embodiment, when the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the heater coupling portion 124 that is recessed and comes into contact with the upper tray body 151, the transfer of heat from the upper heater 148 to a portion other than the upper tray body 151 may be minimized.

At least a part of the upper heater 148 may be disposed to vertically overlap the upper chamber 152 such that heat from the upper heater 148 is smoothly transferred to the upper chamber 152.

In this embodiment, the round portion 148 c of the upper heater 148 may overlap the upper chamber 152 in the vertical direction.

That is, the maximum distance between two points of the round portion 148 c positioned on opposite sides with respect to the upper chamber 152 may be smaller than the diameter of the upper chamber 152.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a lower assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 17 to 19, the lower assembly 200 may include a lower tray 250 and a lower supporter 270.

The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower case 210.

The lower case 210 may surround a part of the periphery of the lower tray 250, and the lower supporter 270 may support the lower tray 250.

The connection unit 350 may be coupled to the lower supporter 270.

The connection unit 350 may include a first link 352 configured to receive a driving force of the driving part 180 and rotate the lower supporter 270, and a second link 356 connected to the lower supporter 270 to transfer the rotational force of the lower supporter 270 to the upper ejector 300 when the lower supporter 270 is rotated.

The first link 352 and the lower supporter 270 may be connected to each other by an elastic member 360. The elastic member 360 may be, for example, a coil spring.

One end of the elastic member 360 is connected to the first link 352, and the other end is connected to the lower supporter 270.

The elastic member 360 may provide an elastic force to the lower supporter 270 such that the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 are maintained in contact with each other.

In the present embodiment, the first link 352 and the second link 356 may be positioned on both sides of the lower supporter 270, respectively.

One of the two first links 352 is connected to the driving part 180 to receive rotational force from the driving part 180.

The two first links 352 may be connected by a connection shaft 370.

A hole 358 through which the ejector body 310 of the upper ejector 300 may pass may be formed at an upper end of the second link 356.

The lower tray 250 may be formed of a flexible material capable of returning to its original shape after being deformed by an external force.

For example, the lower tray 250 may be formed of a silicon material. In a case where the lower tray 250 is formed of a silicon material as in the present embodiment, even when the shape of the lower tray 250 is deformed due to an external force applied to the lower tray 250 during ice separation, the lower tray 250 may return to its original shape again. Accordingly, it is possible to produce ice in a spherical shape despite repeated ice making.

The lower tray 250 may include a lower tray body 251 defining a lower chamber 252 that is a part of the ice chamber 111. The lower tray 250 may also be defined as a second tray.

The lower tray body 251 may define a plurality of lower chambers 252. For example, the plurality of lower chambers 252 may include a first lower chamber 252 a, a second lower chamber 252 b, and a third lower chamber 252 c.

The lower tray body 251 may include three chamber walls 252 d forming three lower chambers 252 a, 252 b, and 252 c, which are independent to one another, and the three chamber walls 153 may be formed as one body to define the lower tray body 251.

The first lower chamber 252 a, the second lower chamber 252 b, and the third lower chamber 152 c may be arranged in a line. For example, the first lower chamber 252 a, the second lower chamber 252 b, and the third lower chamber 152 c may be arranged in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 11.

The lower chamber 252 may be formed in a hemispherical shape. That is, the lower portion of spherical ice may be formed by the lower chamber 252.

The lower tray 250 may further include a first extension 253 extending in a horizontal direction from the upper edge of the lower tray body 251. The first extension 253 may be formed continuously along the periphery of the lower tray body 251.

The lower tray 250 may further include a peripheral wall 260 extending upward from the upper surface of the first extension 253.

The lower surface of the upper tray body 151 may be in contact with the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray body 251.

The peripheral wall 260 may surround the upper tray body 151 seated on the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray body 251.

The peripheral wall 260 may include a first wall 260 a surrounding the vertical wall 153 a of the upper tray body 151 and a second wall 260 a surrounding the curved wall 153 b of the upper tray body 151.

The first wall 260 a is a vertical wall extending vertically from the upper surface of the first extension 253. The second wall 260 b is a curved wall formed in a shape corresponding to the upper tray body 151. That is, the second wall 260 b may be rounded in a direction away from the lower chamber 252 as it goes upward from the first extension 253.

The lower tray 250 may further include a second extension 254 extending from the peripheral wall 260 in the horizontal direction.

The second extension 254 may be positioned higher than the first extension 253. Accordingly, the first extension 253 and the second extension 254 may form a stepped portion

The second extension 254 may include an upper protrusion 255 to be inserted into the lower case 210. The second extension 254 may further include a first lower protrusion 257 to be inserted into a lower supporter 270 to be described later.

The peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250 may include a first coupling protrusion 262 for coupling with the lower case 210. The first coupling protrusion 262 may protrude from the first wall 260 a of the peripheral wall 260 in the horizontal direction. The first coupling protrusion 262 may be positioned on an upper portion of a side surface of the first wall 260 a.

The peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250 may further include a second coupling protrusion 260 c. The second coupling protrusion 260 c may be coupled to the lower case 210.

The second coupling protrusion 260 c may protrude from the second wall 260 b of the peripheral wall 260. The second coupling protrusion 260 c may prevent the lower tray 250 from being melted or thermally deformed while the lower tray 250 is rotated in the reverse direction.

The second coupling protrusion 260 c may protrude from the second wall 260 a in the horizontal direction. An upper end of the second coupling protrusion 260 c may be positioned at the same height as an upper end of the second wall 260 a.

The lower tray body 251 may further include a convex portion 251 b in which a part of a lower portion is convex upwardly.

FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 20 to 21, the lower supporter 270 may include a supporter body 271 supporting the lower tray 250.

The supporter body 271 may include three chamber accommodating portions 272 for accommodating the three chamber walls 252 d of the lower tray 250. The chamber accommodating portion 272 may be formed in a hemispherical shape.

The supporter body 271 may include a lower opening 274 through which the lower ejector 400 passes during ice separation. For example, three lower openings 274 may be provided in the supporter body 271 to correspond to the three chamber accommodating portions 272.

A reinforcing rib 275 for strength reinforcement may be provided along the periphery of the lower opening 274.

In addition, two adjacent chamber walls 252 d of the three chamber walls 252 d may be connected by a connecting rib 273. These connecting ribs 273 may reinforce the strength of the chamber wall 252 d.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a first extension wall 285 extending from an upper end of the supporter body 271 in the horizontal direction.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a second extension wall 286 formed to be stepped from the first extension wall 285 at the edges of the first extension wall 285.

A upper surface of the second extension wall 286 may be positioned higher than the first extension wall 285.

The first extension 253 of the lower tray 250 may be seated on the upper surface 271 a of the supporter body 271, and the second extension wall 286 may surround the side surface of the first extension 253 of the lower tray 250. In this case, the second extension wall 286 may be in contact with the side surface of the first extension 253 of the lower tray 250.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a protrusion groove 287 for accommodating the first lower protrusion 257 of the lower tray 250.

The protrusion groove 287 may extend in a curved shape. The protrusion groove 287 may be formed, for example, in the second extension wall 286.

The lower supporter 270 may further include an outer wall 280 disposed to surround the lower tray body 251 while being spaced apart from the outer portion of the lower tray.

The outer wall 280 may extend downward along the edges of the second extension wall 286, for example.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 to be respectively connected to the hinge supporters 135 and 136 of the upper case 210.

The plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 may be spaced apart from each other. Each of the hinge bodies 281 and 282 may further include a second hinge hole 281 a.

The shaft connection portion 353 of the first link 352 may pass through the second hinge hole 281. The connection shaft 370 may be connected to the shaft connection portion 353.

The distance between the plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 may be smaller than the distance between the plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136. Accordingly, the plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 may be positioned between the plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a coupling shaft 283 to which the second link 356 is rotatably connected. The coupling shaft 383 may be provided on both surfaces of the outer wall 280, respectively.

In addition, the lower supporter 270 may further include an elastic member coupling portion 284 to which the elastic member 360 is coupled. The elastic member coupling portion 284 may form a space in which a part of the elastic member 360 may be accommodated. Since the elastic member 360 is accommodated in the elastic member coupling portion 284, the elastic member 360 may be prevented from interfering with surrounding structures.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a heater accommodating groove 291 to which the lower heater 296 (see FIG. 13) is coupled. The heater accommodating groove 291 may be depressed downward from the chamber accommodating portion 272 of the lower tray body 251. The lower heater 296 may be referred to as a second heater, and may be positioned lower than the center of the ice chamber 111.

In addition, the elastic member coupling portion 284 may include a holding portion 284 a in which the lower end of the elastic member 370 is caught.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lower heater is coupled to the lower supporter of FIG. 22.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the ice maker 100 according to the present embodiment may further include a lower heater 296 for applying heat to the lower tray 250 during ice making. In this embodiment, the lower heater 296 may be referred to as a second heater or a heater for producing transparent ice.

The lower heater 296 may provide heat to the lower chamber 252 during the ice making, to allow water to freeze from the upper portion in the ice chamber 111.

Also, as the lower heater 296 generates heat during ice making, the bubbles in the ice chamber 111 move downward during ice making, so that the remaining portion of the spherical ice except for the lowermost portion may become transparent when the ice making has been completed. That is, according to the present embodiment, substantially transparent spherical ice may be produced.

The lower heater 296 may be, for example, a wire-type heater.

The lower heater 296 may be installed in the lower supporter 270. In addition, the lower heater 296 may contact the lower tray 250 to provide heat to the lower chamber 252.

For example, the lower heater 296 may be in contact with the lower tray body 251. In addition, the lower heater 296 may be disposed to surround the three chamber walls 252 d of the lower tray body 251.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a heater coupling portion 290 to which the lower heater 296 is coupled.

The heater coupling portion 290 may include a heater accommodating groove 291 which is formed to be recessed downward from the chamber accommodating portion 272 of the lower tray body 251.

Due to the depression of the heater accommodating groove 291, the heater coupling portion 290 may include an inner wall 291 a and an outer wall 291 b.

The inner wall 291 a may be formed in a ring shape, for example, and the outer wall 291 b may be disposed to surround the inner wall 291 a.

When the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291, the lower heater 296 may surround at least a part of the inner wall 291 a.

The lower opening 274 may be positioned in a region formed by the inner wall 291 a. Accordingly, when the chamber wall 252 d of the lower tray 250 is accommodated in the chamber accommodating portion 272, the chamber wall 252 d may be in contact with the upper surface of the inner wall 291 a. The upper surface of the inner wall 291 a is a rounded surface corresponding to the hemispherical chamber wall 252 d.

The diameter of the lower heater 296 may be formed to be larger than the depression depth of the heater accommodating groove 291 such that a part of the lower heater 296 protrudes to the outside of the heater accommodating groove 291 while the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291.

In order to prevent the lower heater 296 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291 from being separated from the heater accommodating groove 291, at least one of the outer wall 291 b and the inner wall 291 a may be provided with a separation preventing protrusion 291 c.

FIG. 22 shows that the separation preventing protrusion 291 c is provided on the inner wall 291 a.

Since the diameter of the inner wall 291 a is smaller than the diameter of the chamber accommodating portion 272, the lower heater 196 may move along the surface of the chamber accommodating portion 272 and be then accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 29 in the process of assembling the lower heater 196.

That is, the lower heater 196 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291 toward the inner wall 291 a from above the outer wall 291 a. Therefore, in order to prevent the lower heater 196 from interfering with the separation preventing protrusion 291 c when the the lower heater 196 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291, the separation preventing protrusion 291 c may be preferably formed on the inner wall 291 a.

The separation preventing protrusion 291 c may protrude from the upper end of the inner wall 291 a toward the outer wall 291 b.

The protrusion length of the separation preventing protrusion 291 c may be formed to be less than ½ of the distance between the outer wall 291 b and the inner wall 291 a.

In a state in which the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291, the lower heater 296 may be divided into a round portion 296 a and a straight portion 296 b.

That is, the heater accommodating groove 291 may include a round portion and a straight portion, and the lower heater 296 may include a round portion 296 a and a straight portion 296 b corresponding to the round portion and the straight portion of the heater accommodating groove 296.

The round portion 296 a is a portion disposed along the periphery of the lower chamber 252 and is bent to be rounded in a horizontal direction.

The straight portion 296 b is a portion that connects the round portions 296 a respectively corresponding to the lower chambers 252.

Since there is a high possibility that the round portion 296 a of the lower heater 296 will fall out of the heater accommodating groove 291, the separation preventing protrusion 291 c may be disposed to contact the round portion 296 a.

A through opening 291 d may be provided in a bottom surface of the heater accommodating groove 291. When the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291, a part of the lower heater 296 may be positioned in the through opening 291 d. For example, the through opening 291 d may be positioned at a portion facing the separation preventing protrusion 291 c.

When the lower heater 296 is bent to be rounded in the horizontal direction, the tension of the upper heater 296 is increased and there is a risk of disconnection, and there is a high possibility that the lower heater 296 falls out of the heater accommodating groove 291.

However, when the through opening 291 d is formed in the heater accommodating groove 291 as in the present embodiment, a part of the lower heater 296 may be located in the through opening 291 d, thus making it possible to decrease tension of the lower heater 296 and prevent the lower heater 296 from falling out of the heater accommodating groove 291.

The lower supporter 270 may include a first guide groove 293 for guiding a power input terminal 296 c and a power output terminal 296 d of the lower heater 296 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291 and a second guide groove 294 extending in a direction crossing the first guide groove 293.

The first guide groove 293 may extend from the heater accommodating groove 291, for example, in the direction of arrow B.

In addition, the second guide groove 294 may extend from an end of the first guide groove 293 in the direction of arrow A. In this embodiment, the direction of arrow A is a direction parallel to the extension direction of the rotation center axis C1 of the lower assembly 200.

Referring to FIG. 22, the first guide groove 293 may extend from any one of the left and right chamber accommodating portions except for the central one of the three chamber accommodating portions.

As an example, in FIG. 22, it is shown that the first guide groove 293 extends from the chamber accommodating portion located on the left side, among the three chamber accommodating portion.

As in FIG. 23, the power input terminal 296 c and the power output terminal 296 d of the lower heater 296 may be accommodated in the first guide groove 293 in a state in which the power input terminal 296 c and the power output terminal 296 d are arranged side by side.

The power input terminal 296 c and the power output terminal 296 c of the lower heater 296 may be connected to one first connector 297 a.

A second connector 297 b to which two wires 298 connected to correspond to the power input terminal 296 a and the power output terminal 296 b are connected may be connected to the first connector 297 a.

In the present embodiment, the first connector 297 a and the second connector 297 b are accommodated in the second guide groove 294 while the first connector 297 a and the second connector 297 b are connected to each other.

In addition, a wire 298 connected to the second connector 297 b may be withdrawn from the end of the second guide groove 294 to the outside of the lower supporter 270 through an outlet slot 295 formed in the lower supporter 270.

According to the present embodiment, since the first connector 297 a and the second connector 297 b are accommodated in the second guide groove 294, the first connector 297 a and the second connector 297 b are not exposed to the outside when the assembly of the lower assembly 200 is completed.

As described above, when the first connector 297 a and the second connector 297 b are not exposed to the outside, it is possible to prevent the first connector 297 a and the second connector 297 b from interfering with surrounding structures and from being separated from each other during the rotation of the lower assembly 200.

In addition, since the first connector 297 a and the second connector 297 b are accommodated in the second guide groove 294, a part of the wire 298 may be positioned in the second guide groove 294, and another part may be positioned outside the lower supporter 270 by the outlet slot 295.

In this case, since the second guide groove 294 extends in a direction parallel to the rotational center axis C1 of the lower assembly 200, a part of the wire 298 may also extend parallel to the rotational center axis C1 of rotation.

In addition, another part of the wire 298 may extend in a direction crossing the rotational center axis C1 from the outside of the lower supporter 270.

According to the arrangement of the wire 298, almost no tensile force may act on the wire 298 and a torsional force may act on the wire 298 during the rotation of the lower assembly 200.

Compared to the case where the tensile force acts on the wire 298, the possibility that the wire 298 is disconnected is very low when the torsional force is applied.

In the present embodiment, since the lower heater 296 is maintained at a fixed position and a torsional force is applied to the wire 298 during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, damage to the lower heater 296 may be prevented, and disconnection of the wire 298 may be prevented.

At least one of the first guide groove 293 and the second guide groove 294 may be provided with a separation preventing protrusion 293 a for preventing the lower heater 291 or the wire 298 accommodated therein from falling out thereof.

The power input terminal 296 c and the power output terminal 296 d of the lower heater 296 may be positioned in the first guide groove 293. In this case, since the power input terminal 296 c and the power output terminal 296 d also cause heat, the heat provided to the chamber accommodating portion on the left side to which the first guide groove 293 extends may be greater than the heat provided to the other chamber accommodating portions.

In this case, when the magnitudes of heat respectively provided to the chamber accommodating portions are different from each other, the transparency of spherical ice produced after ice making and ice separation have been completed may vary according to ice.

Accordingly, in order to minimize increase in the difference in transparency for each ice, a bypass accommodating groove may be provided in a chamber accommodating portion (for example, the chamber accommodating portion on the right side) located farthest from the first guide groove 293 among the three chamber accommodating portions.

For example, the bypass accommodating groove 292 may extend outward from the heater accommodating groove 291 and be bent, and then be disposed to be connected to the heater accommodating groove 291 again.

When the lower heater 291 is additionally accommodated in the bypass accommodating groove 292, a contact area between the chamber wall accommodated in the chamber accommodating portion 272 on the right side and the lower heater 296 may be increased.

Accordingly, a protrusion 292 a for fixing the position of the lower heater accommodated in the bypass accommodating groove 292 may be additionally provided in the chamber receiving part 272 on the right side.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24′ of FIG. 3, and FIG. 25 is a view showing a state in which ice making has been completed in FIG. 24.

As the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 contact each other in the vertical direction, the ice chamber 111 is formed.

The lower surface 151 a of the upper tray body 151 may be in contact with the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray body 251.

In this case, while the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray body 251 is in contact with the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray body 151, the elastic force of the elastic member 360 may be applied to the lower supporter 270.

The elastic force of the elastic member 360 is applied to the lower tray 250 by the lower supporter 270, so that the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray body 151 may be pressed by the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray body 251.

Accordingly, in a state in which the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray body 251 is in contact with the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray body 151, the surfaces are pressed to each other to improve adhesion.

As described above, when the adhesion between the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray body 251 and the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray body 151 is increased, a gap between the two surfaces are removed, thus preventing thin band-shaped ice along the periphery of spherical ice after ice making has been completed.

The first extension 253 of the lower tray 250 may be seated on the upper surface 271 a of the supporter body 271 of the lower supporter 270. Further, the second extension wall 286 of the lower supporter 270 may be in contact with the side surface of the first extension 253 of the lower tray 250.

The second extension 254 of the lower tray 250 may be seated on the second extension wall 286 of the lower supporter 270.

In a state where the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray body 151 is seated on the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray body 251, the upper tray body 151 may be accommodated in the inner space of a peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250.

In this case, the vertical wall 153 a of the upper tray body 151 is disposed to face the vertical wall 260 a of the lower tray 250, and the curved wall 153 b of the upper tray body 151 is disposed to face the curved wall 260 b of the lower tray 250.

The outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250. That is, a space is formed between the outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250.

Water supplied through the water supply part 180 is accommodated in the ice chamber 111, but when a larger amount of water than the volume of the ice chamber 111 is supplied, the water which cannot be accommodated in the ice chamber 111 is located in a space between the outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250.

Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, even when a larger amount of water than the volume of the ice chamber 111 is supplied, it is possible to prevent water from overflowing from the ice maker 100.

In a state in which the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray body 251 is in contact with the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray body 151, the upper surface of the peripheral wall 260 may be positioned higher than the inlet opening 154 of the upper tray 150 or the upper chamber 152.

Meanwhile, the lower tray body 251 may further include a heater contact portion 251 a for increasing a contact area with the lower heater 296.

The heater contact portion 251 a may protrude from the lower surface of the lower tray body 251. For example, the heater contact portion 251 a may be formed in a ring shape in the lower surface of the lower tray body 251. In addition, a lower surface of the heater contact portion 251 a may be flat.

Although not limited, the lower heater 296 may be positioned lower than a midpoint of the height of the lower chamber 252 while the lower heater 296 is being in contact with the heater contact portion 251 a.

The lower tray body 251 may further include a convex portion 251 b in which a part of a lower portion is convex upwardly. That is, the convex portion 251 b may be convex toward the inside of the ice chamber 111.

A depression 251 c is formed in the lower portion of the convex portion 251 b such that the thickness of the convex portion 251 b is substantially the same as the thickness of the other portion of the lower tray body 251.

As used herein, “substantially the same” is a concept including those that are completely identical and those that are not identical but are similar to the same extent with little difference.

The convex portion 251 b may be disposed to face the lower opening 274 of the lower supporter 270 in the vertical direction.

In addition, the lower opening 274 may be positioned vertically below the lower chamber 252. That is, the lower opening 274 may be positioned vertically below the convex portion 251 b.

A diameter D1 of the convex portion 251 b may be smaller than a diameter D2 of the lower opening 274.

When cold air is supplied to the ice chamber 111 while water is supplied to the ice chamber 111, the liquid water is phase-changed into the solid ice. In this case, water expands in the process of phase change of water into ice, and the expansion force of water is individually transferred to the upper tray body 151 and the lower tray body 251.

In the present embodiment, the other portion of the lower tray body 251 is surrounded by the supporter body 271, but a portion corresponding to the lower opening 274 of the support body 271 (hereinafter referred to as a “corresponding portion”) is not surrounded by the supporter body 271.

In a case where the lower tray body 251 is formed in a complete hemispherical shape, when the expansion force of the water is applied to the corresponding portion corresponding to the lower opening 274 of the lower tray body 251, the corresponding portion of the lower tray body 251 is deformed toward the lower opening 274.

In this case, the water supplied to the ice chamber 111 exists in a spherical shape before the ice is produced, but after the ice making is completed, additional ice in the shape of protrusion may be made as much as the space created by the deformation of the corresponding portion of the lower tray body 251 in addition to the spherical ice.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 251 b is formed in the lower tray body 251 in consideration of the deformation of the lower tray body 251 such that ice is to be close as possible to the perfect spherical shape of the ice in which ice making has been completed.

In the present embodiment, the water supplied to the ice chamber 111 does not have a spherical shape before the ice is produced, but after the ice making has been completed, the convex portion 251 b of the lower tray body 251 is deformed toward the lower opening 274, thus producing spherical ice.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when an abnormal state of the lower tray is detected, there is an advantage in that it is possible to perform control to resolve the abnormal state of the lower tray. Hereinafter, such a control method will be described in detail.

FIG. 26 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 26, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment may further include a cold air supply device 900 for supplying cold air to the freezing compartment 4. The cold air supply device 900 may supply cold air to the freezing compartment 32 using a refrigerant cycle.

For example, the cold air supply device 900 may include a compressor that compresses refrigerant. A temperature of cold air supplied to the freezing compartment 4 may vary according to the output (or frequency) of the compressor.

Alternatively, the cold air supply device 900 may include a fan for blowing air to an evaporator. The amount of cold air supplied to the freezing compartment 4 may vary according to the output (or rotational speed) of the fan.

Alternatively, the cold air supply device 900 may include a refrigerant valve for controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant cycle.

The amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant cycle is changed by adjusting an opening degree by the refrigerant valve, and accordingly, the temperature of the cold air supplied to the freezing compartment 4 may be changed.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the cold air supply device 900 may include one or more of the compressor, the fan, and the refrigerant valve.

The refrigerator according to the present embodiment may further include a controller 800 for controlling the cold air supply device 900.

The refrigerator may further include a water supply valve 810 for controlling the amount of water supplied through the water supply part 190.

The controller 800 may control some or all of the upper heater 148, the lower heater 296, the driving part 180, the cold air supply device 900, and the water supply valve 810.

The controller 800 may determine whether ice making is complete based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500.

The refrigerator may further include a full ice detection device 950 for detecting full ice of the ice bin 600.

The full ice detection device 950 may include, for example, the full ice detection lever 700, a magnet provided in the driving part 180, and a hall sensor 951 for detecting the magnet.

As another example, the full ice detection device 950 may include a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit provided in the ice bin 102. In this case, the full ice detection lever 700 may be omitted. When the light emitted from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit, it may be determined that ice is not full. When the light emitted from the light emitting unit does not reach the light receiving unit, it may be determined that ice is full.

In this case, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit may be provided in the ice maker. In this case, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit may be located in the ice bin.

As described above, since types of signal output from the Hall sensor 951 and signal output time points are different for positions of the lower tray 250, the controller 800 may identify a current position of the lower tray 250 based on the signal output from the Hall sensor 951.

The Hall sensor 951 may be referred to as a position detection sensor. In the present embodiment, in order to detect a position of the lower tray 250, it is also possible to use an optical sensor in addition to the Hall sensor 951.

It may also be described that when the full ice detection lever 700 is in a full ice detection position, the lower tray 250 is also in the full ice detection position.

The refrigerator may further include an output unit 820 for outputting information. The output unit 820 may output error information as an example. The output unit 820 may output text information or speech information.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are flowcharts for describing a process of generating ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a graph showing signals output from a Hall sensor for each position of a lower tray.

According to one aspect, a refrigerator may change a position of the lower tray 250 such that the lower tray 250 is moved to a water supply position, an ice making position and an ice separation position for ice production and ice making in the ice maker including the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 50 defining the ice chamber. Here, the upper tray 150 may be referred to as a first tray, and the lower tray 250 may also be referred to as a second tray.

The position of the lower tray 250 may be changed by the driving part 180. The controller 800 may control the driving part 180, and the position of the lower tray 250 may be changed by a position detection sensor.

when the position of the lower tray 250 is not changed for a set time during the process of controlling the driving part 180 or a change in signal is not detected by the position detection sensor for the set time, the controller 800 may operate a heater for providing heat to the ice chamber.

The controller 800 may determine whether the lower tray 250 is in a normal state after the heater has operated for a reference time. For example, the controller 800 may operate the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 to the water supply position.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment may include a storage compartment in which food is stored; an upper tray 150 defining a part of an ice chamber for producing ice by cold air for cooling the storage compartment; a lower tray 250 defining another part of the ice chamber and to be rotatable relatively to the upper tray 150; a driving part 180 that operates to rotate the lower tray 250; a position detection sensor that detects a position of the lower tray 250; a heater positioned adjacent to the upper tray 150 or the lower tray 250 to provide heat to the ice chamber; and a controller 800 that controls the driving part 180.

The controller 800 may control the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 to the ice making position in a reverse direction after water supply is completed in the water supply position of the lower tray 250, for ice making in the ice chamber.

The controller 800 may control the driving part 180 to rotate the lower tray 250 from the ice making position to the ice separation position in a forward direction after ice making in the ice chamber has been completed.

The controller 800 may control the driving part 180 to rotate the lower tray 250 from the ice separation position to the water supply position in the reverse direction.

A signal output from the position detection sensor may be changed according to a change in the position of the lower tray 250 while the driving part 180 is operating.

When a change in signal is not detected by the position detection sensor within the set time while the driving part 180 is operating, the controller 800 may operate the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 to an initial position after allowing the heater to operate for a reference time.

The heater may include at least one of an ice separation heater that operates to separate ice after completion of ice making, and an ice making heater that operates during ice making.

The position detection sensor may detect a change in signal output when the lower tray reaches the water supply position, the ice making position, and the ice separation position.

The initial position may be the water supply position.

The controller 800 may determine whether the lower tray has reached the initial position within a time limit. When it is determined that the lower tray has not reached the initial position within the time limit, the controller 800 may repeatedly perform control to operate the driving part 800 to operate the heater and move the lower tray 250 to the initial position for the reference time.

When the number of repetitions of control reaches a reference number, the controller 800 may allow the output unit to output an error.

When the lower tray has reached the initial position within a time limit, the controller 800 may supply water or perform ice making according to the presence or absence of water in the lower tray.

In a refrigerator according to another aspect, the controller 800 may operate the heater for a reference time when the lower tray 250 has not been moved to a target position which includes the water supply position, the ice making position, and the ice separation position within the set time while the driving part 180 is operating.

For example, the controller 800 may operate the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 to the water supply position after the heater has operated for the reference time.

A method of controlling a refrigerator according to another aspect, the refrigerator including an upper tray 150 defining a part of an ice chamber, a lower tray 250 defining another part of the ice chamber, a driving part 180 that moves the lower tray 250, a heater that provides heat to the ice chamber; a position detection sensor that detects a position of the lower tray 250; and a controller 800 that controls the driving part 180, may include operating the drive part 180 to move the lower tray 250 to a water supply position; operating the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 to an ice making position in a reverse direction after water supply is completed in a state in which the lower tray 250 is moved to the water supply position; operating the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 to the ice separation position in the forward direction for ice separation in the ice chamber after completion of ice making at the ice making position; and operating the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 from the ice separation position to the water supply position in the reverse direction.

When operating the driving part 180, the controller 800 may operate the driving part 180 after operating the heater for a reference time when a change in signal is not detected by the position detection sensor within the set time.

The controller 800 may operate the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 to the water supply position after the heater has been operated for the reference time.

When the lower tray 250 fails to move to the water supply position within the time limit, the controller 800 may repeatedly perform control to operate the heater and operate the driving part to move the lower tray 250 to the water supply position for the reference time.

The method may further include outputting an error from the output unit when the number of repetitions of control reaches a reference number.

Referring to FIGS. 27 to 29, in order to produce ice in the ice maker 100, the controller 800 moves the lower tray 250 to the water supply position (S1).

A signal output from the Hall sensor 951 may be changed at the water supply position.

For example, a first signal may be output from the hall sensor 951 before the lower tray 250 is moved to the water supply position during the reverse rotation of the lower tray 250.

When the lower tray 250 has reached the water supply position, a second signal may be output from the Hall sensor 951.

When it is determined that the signal output from the hall sensor 951 is changed from the first signal to the second signal, the controller 800 may determine that the lower tray 250 has reached the water supply position.

In this specification, a direction in which the lower tray 250 is moved from the ice making position of FIG. 41 to the ice separation position of FIG. 42 may be referred to as a forward movement (or forward rotation).

On the other hand, a direction in which the lower tray 250 is moved from the separation position of FIG. 44 to the water supply position of FIG. 39 may be referred to as a reverse movement (or reverse rotation).

When it is detected that the lower tray 250 has moved to the water supply position, the controller 800 may stop the driving part 180.

Water supply is started when the lower tray 250 is moved to the water supply position (S2).

For water supply, the controller 800 may turn on a water supply valve 810 and when it is determined that water corresponding to a reference water supply amount is supplied, turn off the water supply valve 810.

As an example, when a pulse is output from a flow sensor (not shown) and the output pulse reaches a reference pulse when water is being supplied, it may be determined that water corresponding to the amount of water supply is supplied.

After the water supply is completed, the controller 800 may control the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 to the ice making position (S3).

For example, the controller 800 may control the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 from the water supply position in the reverse direction.

For example, the second signal may be output from the hall sensor 951 when the lower tray 250 is moved from the water supply position to the ice making position in the reverse direction.

When the lower tray 250 has reached the ice making position, the first signal may be output from the Hall sensor 951.

When it is determined that the signal output from the hall sensor 951 is changed from the second signal to the first signal, the controller 800 may determine that the lower tray 250 has reached the ice making position.

When the lower tray 250 is moved in the reverse direction, the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 may come closer to the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray 150.

Then, water between the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray 150 may be divided and distributed into the plurality of lower chambers 252.

When the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray 150 are completely in close contact with each other, the upper chamber 152 is filled with water.

The movement of the ice making position of the lower tray 250 is detected by a sensor, and when it is detected that the lower tray 250 has been moved to the ice making position, the controller 800 may stop the driving part 180.

Ice making may be started when the lower tray 250 is moved to the ice making position (S4).

For example, when the lower tray 250 has reached the ice making position, ice making may be started. Alternatively, when the lower tray 250 has reached the ice making position and the water supply time has elapsed for a set time, ice making may be started.

When ice making is started, the controller 800 may control the cold air supply device 900 to supply cold air to the ice chamber 111.

After the ice making is started, the controller 800 may determine whether an ON condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied (S5).

For example, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 has reached an ON reference temperature, the controller 800 may determine that the ON condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied.

The ON reference temperature may be a temperature for determining that water has started to freeze at the uppermost portion (upper opening side) of the ice chamber 111.

When a part of water freezes in the ice chamber 111, the temperature of ice in the ice chamber 111 is below zero.

The temperature of the upper tray 150 may be higher than the temperature of the ice in the ice chamber 111.

Of course, although water is present in the ice chamber 111, a temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 may be below zero after ice starts to be produced in the ice chamber 111.

Accordingly, in order to determine that ice has started to be produced in the ice chamber 111 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500, the ON reference temperature may be set to a temperature below zero.

As described above, when the lower heater 296 is turned on (S6), heat from the lower heater 296 may be transferred to the inside of the ice chamber 111. The controller 800 may control the amount of heating of the lower heater 296 when the lower heater 296 is turned on (S7).

When ice making is performed while the lower heater 296 is turned on, ice may be produced from the uppermost portion in the ice chamber 111.

In the present embodiment, the mass (or volume) of water per unit height in the ice chamber 111 may be the same or different depending on the shape of the ice chamber 111.

For example, when the ice chamber 111 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the mass (or volume) of water per unit height in the ice chamber 111 may be the same.

On the other hand, when the ice chamber 111 has a shape such as a spherical shape, an inverted triangle shape, or a crescent shape, the mass (or volume) of water per unit height may be different.

In a case where it is assumed that the temperature and amount of cold air supplied to the freezing compartment 4 are constant, since the mass of water per unit height in the ice chamber 111 is different when the output of the lower heater 296 is the same, the rate of ice making per unit height may be different.

For example, when the mass of water per unit height is small, the rate of ice making may be fast, whereas when the mass of water per unit height is large, the rate of ice making may be slow.

As a result, the rate at which ice is produced per unit height of water is not constant, so that the transparency of ice may vary according to unit height. In particular, when the rate of ice making is fast, the bubbles may not move from the ice to the water side, so that the ice contains the bubbles, and thus the transparency may be low.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the amount of heating (e.g., output) of the lower heater 296 may be controlled to be changed according to the mass of water per unit height in the ice chamber 111 (S7).

As in the present embodiment, when the ice chamber 111 is formed in a spherical shape, for example, the mass of water per unit height in the ice chamber 111 increases from the upper side to the lower side, becomes a maximum, and then decreases again.

Accordingly, the output of the lower heater 296 is gradually decreased after the lower heater 296 is turned on, and is then minimized at a portion having the greatest mass of water per unit height. Then, the output of the lower heater 296 may be increased gradually according to a decrease in the mass of water per unit height.

Accordingly, since ice is produced from the upper side in the ice chamber 111, the bubbles in the ice chamber 111 move downward.

When ice is produced from the upper side to the lower side in the ice chamber 111, the ice comes into contact with the upper surface of a block portion 251 b of the lower tray 250.

In this state, when ice is continuously produced, the block portion 251 b is pressed and deformed, and when ice making has been completed, spherical ice may be produced.

The controller 800 may determine whether the ice making has been completed based on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 (S8).

When it is determined that the ice making has been completed, the controller 800 may turn off the lower heater 296 (S9).

For example, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 has reached an OFF reference temperature, the controller 800 may determine that ice making has been completed and turn off the lower heater 296.

When the ice making has been completed, the controller 800 may operate at least one of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 for ice separation (S10).

When at least one of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 is turned on, the heat of the heaters 148 and 296 is transferred to at least one of the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 to separate ice from the surface (inner surface) of at least one of the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250.

In addition, the heat of the heaters 148 and 296 is transferred to the contact surface between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250, so that the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray 150 and the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 may be in a separable state.

When one or more of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 has operated for a set time or when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 is equal to or greater than a set temperature, the controller 800 may turn off the heater 148 or 296 which has been turned on.

Although not limited, the set temperature may be set to a temperature above zero

For ice separation, the controller 800 may operate the driving part 180 such that the lower tray 250 is moved in the forward direction (S11).

When the lower tray 250 deviates from the ice making position while the lower tray 250 is moved in the forward direction, the second signal may be output from the Hall sensor 951 as an example.

After the lower tray 250 has reached the water supply position, the first signal may be output from the Hall sensor 951.

The first signal may be continuously output from the hall sensor 951 until the lower tray 250 reaches the full ice detection position after having passed the water supply position.

After the lower tray 250 has reached the full ice detection position, the second signal may be output from the Hall sensor 951.

When the second signal is output from the hall sensor 951 after the lower tray 250 has passed the water supply position, the controller 800 may determine that the lower tray 250 has reached the full ice detection position.

At the full ice detection position, the full ice detection device 950 may determine whether the ice is full. When full ice is not detected by the full ice detection device 950, the lower tray 250 may be rotated in the forward direction toward the ice separation position.

After the lower tray 250 has passed the full ice detection position and the second signal has been output for a predetermined time, the first signal may be output from the hall sensor 951.

The first signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 until the lower tray 250 has reached the ice separation position, and when the lower tray 250 has reached the ice separation position, the second signal may be output from the Hall sensor 951.

As described above in the present embodiment, a time for which the second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 between the ice making position and the water supply position, and a time for which the second signal is output from the hall sensor 951 from the full ice detection position to a predetermined position before the ice separation position may be different from each other.

In addition, a time for which the first signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 between the water supply position and the full ice detection position, and a time for which the first signal is output from the hall sensor 951 from a predetermined position after the full ice detection position to the ice separation portion may be different from each other.

Accordingly, the controller 800 may determine a current position of the lower tray 250 according to a type of signal output from the Hall sensor 951 and a time for which the signal is output.

When the lower tray 250 is moved in the forward direction as shown in FIG. 25, the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the upper tray 150.

The moving force of the lower tray 250 may be transferred to the upper ejector 300 by the connection unit 350. Then, the upper ejector 300 be lowered along the guide slot 183, so that the upper ejecting pin 320 passes the ice in the ice chamber 111 through the upper opening 154.

During ice separation, ice may be separated from the upper tray 250 before the upper ejecting pin 320 presses the ice. That is, ice may be separated from the surface of the upper tray 150 by the heat of the upper heater 148.

In this case, the ice may be rotated together with the lower assembly 200 while being supported by the lower tray 250.

Alternatively, even when the heat of the upper heater 148 is applied to the upper tray 150, the ice may not be separated from the surface of the upper tray 150.

Accordingly, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction, ice may be separated from the lower tray 250 while being in close contact with the upper tray 150.

In this state, during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, the upper ejecting pin 320 which has passed through the inlet opening 154 may press the ice in close contact with the upper tray 150, so that the ice is separated from the upper tray 150. The ice separated from the upper tray 150 may be supported by the lower tray 250 again.

When the ice is rotated together with the lower assembly 200 while being supported by the lower tray 250, the ice may be separated from by its own weight even when an external force is not applied to the lower tray 250.

When the lower tray 250 is pressed by the lower ejector 400 as shown in FIG. 35, even though ice is not separated from the lower tray 250 by its own weight during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, the ice may be separated from the lower tray 250.

When the lower tray 250 is moved to the ice separation position, the lower tray 250 may come into contact with the lower ejecting pin 420.

When the lower tray 250 is continuously rotated in the forward direction while the lower tray 250 is being in contact with the lower ejecting pin 420, the lower ejecting pin 420 may press the lower tray 250 to deform the lower tray 250 and the pressing force of the lower ejecting pin 420 may be transferred to the ice, so that the ice may be separated from the surface of the lower tray 250. The ice separated from the surface of the lower tray 250 may fall downward and be stored in the ice bin 102.

After the ice is separated from the lower tray 250, the lower tray 200 may be rotated in the reverse direction by the driving part 180 again (S14).

The controller 800 may control the driving part 180 such that the lower tray 250 is moved to the water supply position after ice separation has been completed (S1).

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling movement of a lower tray by a driving part.

Referring to FIG. 30, as described above, the lower tray 250 may be moved in the forward and reverse directions by the operation of the driving part 180 (S22).

When the position of the lower tray 250 is changed during the operation of the driving part 180, a signal output from the Hall sensor 951 may be changed.

During the operation of the driving part 180, the controller 800 may determine whether a change in signal is not detected by the Hall sensor 951 within a set time (S21).

A state in which a signal change is not detected by the hall sensor 951 during the set time means a state in which the lower tray 250 cannot move normally (which may be referred to as an “abnormal state”). Accordingly, step S21 may be referred to as a step of determining whether the lower tray 250 is in an abnormal state.

As a result of determination in step S21, when it is determined that a change in signal is detected by the hall sensor 951 within the set time during the operation of the driving part 180, the lower tray 250 may be normally moved to a target position (S22). The target position may include a water supply position, an ice making position, and an ice separation position.

As another example, in order to determine whether the lower tray 250 is in an abnormal state, it may be determined whether the lower tray 250 has moved to the target position including the water supply position, the ice making position, and the ice separation position within the set time.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S21 that no change in signal is detected by the hall sensor 951 within the set time during the operation of the driving part 180, the controller 800 may perform control to resolve the abnormal state of the lower tray 250.

The case where no change in signal is detected by the hall sensor 951 within the set time may include for example, a case where the driving part 180 itself is broken down, a case where the driving part 180 is in a normal state, but the lower tray 250 is not normally moved due to freezing of the connection unit 350 for transferring driving force, a case where the driving part 180 is in a normal state, but the lower tray 250 is not normally moved due to freezing of the upper ejector 300, or a case where the driving part 180 is in a normal state, but the lower tray 250 is not normally moved due to freezing between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250.

Except for the case where the driving part 180 itself is broken down, the abnormal state may be resolved by providing heat to a portion where the freezing has occurred.

Accordingly, the controller 800 may perform control to operate at least one of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 for a reference time in order to resolve the abnormal state of the lower tray 250 (S23). In this case, the controller 800 may stop the operation of the driving part 180 and operate at least one of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 for a reference time.

When at least one of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 is operated, the heat of the heater 148 or 296 is transferred between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 to eliminate freezing between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250.

In addition, when at least one of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 is operated, the heat of the heater 148 or 296 is transferred to the upper ejector 300 through the upper tray 150 and the upper supporter 170, thus eliminating the freezing of the upper ejector 300.

In addition, when at least one of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 is operated, the heat of the heater 148 or 296 is transferred to the connection unit 350 through the lower tray 250 and the lower supporter 270, thus eliminating the freezing of the connection unit 350.

After at least one of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 has been operated for a reference time, the controller 800 may perform a step of determining whether the lower tray 250 is operated normally.

For example, the controller 800 may operate the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 to the initial position (S24).

Even in a state in which it is determined that the lower tray 250 is in an abnormal state, the controller 800 may determine a current position of the lower tray 250.

Accordingly, the controller 800 may move the lower tray 250 from the current position to the initial position. In the present embodiment, the initial position may be, for example, the water supply position.

When an abnormal state of the lower tray 250 is determined and heat from the heater is provided to the lower tray 250 while ice is present in the lower tray 250, the the ice of the lower tray 250 may be melted.

When the ice of the lower tray 250 is melted and the lower tray 250 is moved in the forward direction, there is a risk that water in the lower tray 250 may fall downward.

Accordingly, the initial position may be set to the water supply position in order to prevent the water of the lower tray 250 from falling downward from the lower tray 250.

When the lower tray 250 is positioned between the water supply position and the ice separation position at the time of determining the abnormal state of the lower tray 250, the lower tray 250 may be moved to the initial position by the reverse rotation.

When the lower tray 250 is positioned between the ice making position and the water supply position at the time of determining the abnormal state of the lower tray 250, the lower tray 250 may be rotated in the forward direction and moved to the water supply position. In this case, even when the lower tray 250 is moved to the water supply position in the forward direction in a case where water or ice is present in the lower tray 250, water does not drop downward from the lower tray 250.

As described above, at the water supply position, a space is formed between the outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250. Therefore, even when the ice in the lower tray 250 melts, the melted water may be located in the space and prevented from falling downward of the lower tray 250.

In a state in which the driving part 180 is operated to move the lower tray 250 to the initial position, the controller 800 may determine whether the lower tray 250 has moved to the initial position within a time limit (S25).

The time limit is a time required for the lower tray 250 to be moved to the initial position, and may be set to a value greater than a set time for determining whether a signal has changed.

As a result of the determination in step S25, when it is determined that the lower tray 250 has moved to the initial position within the time limit, the controller 800 may determine whether water supply has been previously performed (S26).

That is, when the abnormal state of the lower tray 250 is determined, it may be determined whether water or ice is present in the lower tray.

When the water supply is not performed at the time when the abnormal state is determined, the water supply may be started at the initial position of the lower tray 250 (S27). The ice making may be performed after the water supply has been completed (S27), and ice separation may be performed after the ice making has been completed.

On the other hand, since water is present in the lower tray 250 after water supply has been performed when the abnormal state is determined the controller 800 may perform ice making (S28).

For example, the controller 800 may control the lower tray 250 such that the lower tray 250 is moved to the initial position to the ice making position. After completion of the ice making, ice separation may be performed.

Meanwhile, when it is determined in step S25 that the lower tray 250 has not moved to the initial position within the time limit, the controller 800 may increase the number of repetitions of control for resolving the abnormal state (S29).

The controller 800 returns to step S23 when the number n of repetitions of control for resolving the abnormal state does not reach the reference number N (S29) to further control for resolving the abnormal state.

On the other hand, when the number n of repetitions of control for resolving the abnormal state has reached the reference number (S30), the controller 800 may allow the output unit 829 to output an error for notifying the abnormal state of the lower tray 250 or the abnormal state of the driving part 180.

That is, when the abnormal state cannot be resolved even after repeatedly performing the control for resolving the abnormal state, the error is output to the outside, so that the error state can be quickly checked, thus enabling a user to quickly repair the refrigerator.

The output unit 820 may be a display unit provided in a refrigerator door or may be configured separately from the display unit.

According to the embodiment, when an abnormal state of the lower tray is detected, control for resolving the abnormal state of the lower tray may be performed, so that ice making is possible immediately after the abnormal state is resolved.

In addition, although the control for resolving the abnormal state of the lower tray is performed, when the abnormal state cannot be resolved, an error is output to enable the user to easily check the error state.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the lower tray may be moved to the initial position in the reverse direction after performing the control for resolving the abnormal state, it is possible to prevent water in the lower tray from falling downward even when the water is present in the lower tray.

On the other hand, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an advantage in that the surface of ice bound to the tray is melted by applying heat for ice separation to the upper tray and the lower tray to facilitate the ice separation when the ice making has been completed. Hereinafter, a control method for ice separation will be described in detail.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart for describing a process of making ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 32 is a view for describing operation of a heater during ice separation in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, a method for controlling an ice maker, the ice maker including the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 defining the ice chamber 111, the lower heater 296 and the upper heater that supply heat to one or more of the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 may include supplying heat from one of the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 to at least one of the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 for ice separation; determining whether a heat supply condition of the other one of the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 is satisfied; when the heat supply condition is satisfied, supplying, by the other heater, heat to at least one of the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250; and turning off the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 simultaneously or sequentially when OFF conditions of the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 are satisfied.

For example, the case where the heat supply condition of the heater is satisfied may be a case where a temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the ice chamber 111 has reached a first reference temperature within a first reference time.

As another example, the case where the heat supply condition of the heater is satisfied may be a case where a temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the ice chamber 111 has reached a first reference temperature.

As another example, the case where the heat supply condition of the heater is satisfied may be a case where a first reference time has elapsed after one of the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 is turned on.

In addition, the case where the OFF conditions of the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 are satisfied may be a case where a set time has elapsed after the other heater is turned on.

As another example, when the OFF conditions of the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 are satisfied may be a case a temperature detected by the temperature sensor has reached an OFF reference temperature within a set time after the other heater is turned on.

As still another example, when the OFF conditions of the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 are satisfied may be a case a temperature detected by the temperature sensor has reached an OFF reference temperature after the other heater is turned on.

The first reference temperature and/or the OFF reference temperature may be a temperature above zero.

The control method of the present disclosure, may further include rotating the lower tray 250 such that the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the upper tray 150 when the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 are turned off.

The lower tray 250 may be positioned below the upper tray 150, the lower heater 296 may be in contact with the lower tray 250, and the upper heater 148 may be in contact with the upper tray 150.

Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling an ice maker, the ice maker including the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 defining the ice chamber 111, the lower heater 296 and the upper heater that supply heat to one or more of the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 may include supplying heat from the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 to at least one of the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 for ice separation; and turning off the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 simultaneously or sequentially when OFF conditions of the lower heater 296 and the upper heater 148 are satisfied.

In detail, the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an input unit 801 capable of setting and changing a target temperature of a storage compartment in which the ice maker 100 is provided.

For example, the target temperature of each of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4 may be set and changed through the input unit 801. Alternatively, information may be output through the input unit 801.

The controller 800 may control turning-on/off of the upper heater 148 and/or the lower heater 296 according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500.

Also, the controller 800 may adjust the output of the lower heater 296 during the ice making.

During the ice making, when defrosting is started, door opening/closing is detected, or a change in target temperature is detected, a current output of the lower heater may be maintained or changed in response thereto.

Also, the controller 800 may control the driving part 180 to rotate the lower assembly 200. The upper ejector 300 connected to the lower assembly 200 is lowered due to rotation of the lower assembly 200 to separate ice from the upper assembly 110.

In order to produce ice in the ice maker 100, first, the lower assembly 200 is moved to a water supply position (S41).

For example, in a state in which the lower assembly 200 is moved to an ice separation completion position to be described later, the controller 800 may control the driving part 180 to rotate the lower assembly 200 in a reverse direction.

In the water supply position of the lower assembly 200, the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the lower surface 151 e of the upper tray 150.

Although not limited, the lower surface 151 e of the upper tray 150 may be positioned at the same or similar height to the rotational center C2 of the lower assembly 200.

In the present embodiment, a direction in which the lower assembly 200 is rotated (a counterclockwise direction in the drawing) for ice separation is referred to as a forward direction, and an opposite direction (a clockwise direction) thereto is referred to as a reverse direction.

Although not limited, an angle between the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151 e of the upper tray 150 at the water supply position of the lower assembly 200 may be about 8 degrees.

In this state, water supply is started (S42). For example, water may flow to the water supply part 190 through a water supply pipe connected to an external water supply source of the refrigerator 1 or a water tank provided in the refrigerator 1. Then, the water is guided by the water supply part 190 and supplied to the ice chamber 111.

In this case, the water is supplied to the ice chamber 111 through one of a plurality of inflow openings 154 of the upper tray 150.

In a state in which the water supply has been completed, a part of the supplied water may be filled in the lower chamber 252, and another part of the supplied water may be filled in a space between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250.

For example, the volume of the upper chamber 151 may be the same as the volume of a space between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250. Then, the water between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 may completely fill the upper tray 150. Of course, it is also possible that the volume of the upper chamber 151 is larger than the volume of the space between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250.

In the present embodiment, there is no channel for mutual communication between the three lower chambers 252 in the lower tray 250.

As described above, since the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the lower surface 151 e of the upper tray 150 even though there is no channel for the movement of water in the lower tray 250, water may flow to another lower chamber along the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 when a certain lower chamber is filled with water during water supply.

Accordingly, each of the plurality of lower chambers 252 of the lower tray 250 may be filled with water.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since there is no channel for the communication of the lower chambers 252 in the lower tray 250, it is possible to prevent the existence of additional ice in the form of protrusions around the ice after the ice making has been completed.

When the water supply has been completed, the lower assembly 200 is moved to the ice making position.

When the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the reverse direction, the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 may come closer to the lower surface 151 e of the upper tray 150.

Then, water between the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray 150 is divided and distributed into the plurality of upper chambers 152.

In addition, when the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151 e of the upper tray 150 are completely in close contact with each other, the upper chamber 152 is filled with water.

The position of the lower assembly 200 in a state in which the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151 e of the upper tray 150 are in close contact with each other may be referred to as an ice making position.

Ice making may be started when the lower assembly 200 has been moved to the ice making position (S44).

Since the pressing force of water (or the expansion force of water) is less than the force for deforming the convex portion 251 b of the lower tray 250 during ice making, the convex portion 251 b is not deformed and maintains its original shape.

After ice making is started, the controller 800 may turn on the lower heater 296 (S45).

For example, the lower heater 296 may not be turned on immediately after ice making is started, but the lower heater 296 may be turned on when an ON condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied.

Specifically, an ON reference temperature that satisfies the ON condition of the lower heater 296 may be a temperature for determining that water has started to freeze at the uppermost portion (inlet opening side) of the ice chamber 111.

In general, the water supplied to the ice chamber 11 may be water having a temperature higher than the freezing point of water, and after the water is supplied, the temperature of the water may be lowered by cold air and then changed to ice when the freezing point of the water is reached.

When the lower heater 296 is turned on before the freezing point of the water is reached, the rate of ice making may be slowed. Therefore, the lower heater 296 may be turned on after a predetermined time for which the temperature of the water is lowered has elapsed.

Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, when the ON condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied, the lower heater 296 is turned on, thus preventing power consumption due to unnecessary operation of the lower heater 296.

In the present embodiment, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 has reached an ON reference temperature, the controller 800 may determine that the ON condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied.

In the present embodiment, since the ice chamber 111 except for the inlet opening 154 is blocked by the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250, the water in the ice chamber 111 is in direct contact with the cold air through the inlet opening 154, so that ice starts to be produced from the uppermost portion of the ice chamber 111 where the inlet opening is located.

When water freezes in the ice chamber 111, the temperature of the ice in the ice chamber 111 has a temperature below zero.

In addition, the temperature of the upper tray 150 is higher than the temperature of the ice in the ice chamber 111.

In the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 500 does not directly detect the temperature of the ice, but the temperature sensor 500 may contact the upper tray 150 to detect the temperature of the upper tray 150.

Due to this structural arrangement, to determine that ice has started to be produced in the ice chamber 111 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500, the ON reference temperature may be set to a temperature below zero.

That is, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the ON reference temperature, the ON reference temperature is a temperature below zero, so that the temperature of the ice in the ice chamber 111 is lower than the ON reference temperature. Therefore, it may be indirectly determined that ice is produced in the ice chamber 111.

When the lower heater 296 is turned on, heat from the lower heater 296 is transferred to the lower tray 250.

Accordingly, when ice making is performed while the lower heater 296 is turned on, heat is supplied to the water contained in the lower chamber 252 in the ice chamber 111, so that the ice in the ice chamber 111 is produced from the upper portion thereof.

In the present embodiment, since ice is produced from the upper portion in the ice chamber 111, bubbles in the ice chamber 111 may move downward. Since the density of water is greater than that of ice, bubbles in the water may easily move downward and be collected in a lower portion.

Since the ice chamber 111 is formed in a spherical shape, a horizontal cross-sectional area is different for each height of the ice chamber 111.

In a case where it is assumed that the same amount of cold air is supplied to the ice chamber 111, since the ice chamber 111 has different horizontal cross-sectional areas for heights, the rate of ice making may be different according to the heights when the output of the lower heater 296 is the same. In other words, the height at which ice is produced per unit time is not uniform.

In this case, the bubbles in the water are included in the ice without moving downward, and the ice becomes opaque.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the controller 800 may control the output of the lower heater 296 by changing the output of the heater 296 according to the height at which ice is produced in the ice chamber 111.

The controller 800 may determine whether the ice making has been completed based on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 (S46).

When it is determined that the ice making has been completed, the controller 800 may turn off the lower heater 296 (S47).

In the present embodiment, since the distances between the temperature sensor 500 and the ice chambers 111 are different, the controller 500 may start to perform ice separation after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when it is determined that ice making has been completed to determine that the ice making has been completed in all the ice chambers 111.

When the ice making has been completed, the controller 800 may operate the upper heater 148 for ice separation (S48).

When the upper heater 148 is turned on, heat from the upper heater 148 is transferred to the upper tray 150, so that ice may be separated from the surface (inner surface) of the upper tray 150.

In addition, the heat of the upper heater 148 is transferred to the contact surface between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250, so that the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray 150 and the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 may be in a separable state.

For example, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 is equal to or greater than an ice separation reference temperature for ice separation, the controller 800 may turn off the upper heater 148 and rotate the lower assembly 200 for ice separation.

However, when only the upper heater 148 is turned on to perform ice separation, a time for ice separation is elongated and heat is concentrated only on the upper portion, so that the ice is not separated from the lower tray 250 smoothly.

Accordingly, as another example, the controller 800 may turn on the lower heater 296 together with the upper heater 148 to perform ice separation.

In detail, the controller 800 may simultaneously turn on and off the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296.

Also, the controller 800 may turn on the upper heater 148 first, and then turn on the lower heater 296 thereafter.

The reason for this is that the lower heater 296 is closer to ice in the tray than the upper heater 148.

Of course, according to the structure of the ice maker, the lower heater 296 may be turned on first, and then the upper heater 148 may be turned on.

That is, after the heat of one of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 is supplied to the upper tray 150 and/or the lower tray 250 for ice separation, the other heater may be turned on.

The case where the other heater is turned on may include a case where an ON condition is satisfied, and the ON condition may be determined based on at least one of a temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 and a time for which the upper heater 148 is in a turned-on state. The ON condition may be referred to as a heat supply condition.

In detail, after the upper heater 148 is turned on, the controller 800 may determine whether the ON condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied (S49).

The ON condition of the lower heater 296 may include a case where an ON condition is satisfied, and the ON condition may be determined based on at least one of a temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 and a time for which the upper heater 148 is in a turned-on state.

For example, the controller 800 may determine that the ON condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the first reference temperature for a first reference time (S491).

As another example, the controller 800 may determine whether the time for which the upper heater 148 is in a turned-on state exceeds the first reference time or whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 has reached the first reference temperature.

The first reference time may be a time sufficient for ice to be separated from the tray only by the upper heater 148 or a time shorter than the time as described above.

In addition, the first reference temperature may be identical to or lower than the the ice separation reference temperature when ice separation is performed in a state in which only the upper heater 148 is turned on.

On the other hand, when the ON condition of the lower heater 296 is not continuously satisfied, the controller 800 may determine that the upper heater 148 is broken down.

When the ON condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied, the lower heater 296 may be turned on (S50).

When the lower heater 296 is turned on, heat may be uniformly applied to the upper and lower portions of the cell, and the ice in the tray may be easily separated.

The upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 may be controlled by the controller 800 to be turned off sequentially. Alternatively, the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 may be turned off at the same time to prevent deformation of ice.

After the lower heater 296 is turned on, the controller 800 may determine whether an OFF condition of the heater is satisfied (S51).

As to the OFF condition of the heater, OFF conditions of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 may be determined individually, or may be determined simultaneously.

In detail, the OFF condition of the heater may be determined based on at least one of a temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 and an ON time of the lower heater 296.

For example, the controller 800 may determine that the OFF condition of the heater is satisfied when a set time has elapsed after the lower heater 296 is turned on.

As another example, the controller 800 may determine whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 has reached an OFF reference temperature.

As another example, the controller 800 may determine whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 has reached an OFF reference temperature within the set time.

The OFF reference temperature may be a temperature at which ice is separated from the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250, and may be, for example, a temperature above zero.

Also, the OFF reference temperature may be higher than a first reference temperature for turning on the lower heater 296.

For example, the upper heater 148 may be turned off first and the lower heater 296 may be subsequently turned off. Alternatively, the lower heater 296 may be turned off first and the upper heater 148 may be subsequently turned off.

As another example, the OFF conditions of the heaters may be determined together and the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 may be turned off together (S52).

In detail, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 has reached the OFF reference temperature, the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 may be turned off together.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent only a part of the ice in the tray from being melted by the upper heater 148 or the lower heater 296 and prevent the spherical ice shape from being deformed.

After the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 are turned off, the controller 800 may operate the driving part 180 so that the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction (S53).

As shown in FIG. 43, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction, the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the upper tray 150.

In addition, the rotational force of the lower assembly 200 may be transferred to the upper ejector 300 by the connection unit 350. Then, the upper ejector 300 is lowered by the unit guides 181 and 182, and the upper ejecting pin 320 may be inserted into the upper chamber 152 through the inlet opening 154.

During ice separation, ice may be separated from the upper tray 250 before the upper ejecting pin 320 presses the ice. That is, ice may be separated from the surface of the upper tray 150 by the heat of the upper heater 148.

In this case, the ice may be rotated together with the lower assembly 200 while being supported by the lower tray 250.

Alternatively, even when the heat of the upper heater 148 is applied to the upper tray 150, the ice may not be separated from the surface of the upper tray 150.

Accordingly, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction, ice may be separated from the lower tray 250 while being in close contact with the upper tray 150.

In this state, during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, the upper ejecting pin 320 which has passed through the inlet opening 154 may press the ice in close contact with the upper tray 150, so that the ice is separated from the upper tray 150. The ice separated from the upper tray 150 may be supported by the lower tray 250 again.

When the ice is rotated together with the lower assembly 200 while being supported by the lower tray 250, the ice may be separated from by its own weight even when an external force is not applied to the lower tray 250.

When the lower tray 250 is pressed by the lower ejector 400 as shown in FIG. 35, even though ice is not separated from the lower tray 250 by its own weight during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, the ice may be separated from the lower tray 250.

Specifically, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated, the lower tray 250 may come into contact with the lower ejecting pin 420.

Further, when the lower assembly 250 is continuously rotated in the forward direction, the lower ejecting pin 420 may press the lower tray 250 to deform the lower tray 250 and the pressing force of the lower ejecting pin 420 may be transferred to the ice, so that the ice may be separated from the surface of the lower tray 250.

The ice separated from the surface of the lower tray 250 may fall downward and be stored in the ice bin 102.

In this case, the lower ejecting pin 420 may be maintained to press the lower tray 250 for a predetermined time in order to secure a time for which the ice is to be separated from the lower tray 250.

After the ice is separated from the lower tray 250, the controller 800 may control the driving part 180 to rotate the lower assembly 200 in the reverse direction.

When the lower ejecting pin 420 is spaced apart from the lower tray 250 while the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the reverse direction, the deformed lower tray 250 may be restored to its original shape.

When the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the reverse rotation, rotational force may be transferred to the upper ejector 300 by the connection unit 350, so that the upper ejector 300 may be raised and the upper ejecting pin 320 may fall out of the upper chamber 152.

Then, when the lower assembly 200 has reached a water supply standby position, the driving part 180 is stopped and water supply is started again.

According to such a control method, there is an advantage in that the surface of ice bound to the tray is melted by applying heat for ice separation to the upper tray and the lower tray to facilitate the ice separation when the ice making has been completed.

In addition, there is an advantage in that the time for ice separation is shortened by applying heat for ice separation to both the upper tray and the lower tray.

In addition, since ice is produced from the upper portion as the lower heater is operated during the ice making, bubbles move to the lower side, and finally, the bubbles exist only in the local portion of the ice at the lowermost side, thus making the spherical ice transparent as a whole.

In addition, in the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the shape of the spherical ice from being deformed due to local concentration of heat in the ice chamber.

On the other hand, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to detect whether the ice is full during the ice separation, identify a case of non-full ice, a case of full ice, or a case where full ice is released after ice has been full for the first time and and control the position of the lower tray and whether to the heater, thus performing stable ice separation.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart for describing a process of making ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 34 to 38 are flowcharts for describing an ice separation process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may first operate a heater for ice separation when ice making has been completed in the tray and when an ice separation entry condition regarding time and temperature is satisfied, perform ice separation, thus preventing failure in ice separation.

In addition, when an ice separation entry condition regarding time and temperature is not satisfied, it is possible to determine whether to perform ice separation according to additional entry conditions regarding the time limit and the temperature limit, thus preventing a phenomenon in which ice separation is stopped.

In addition, when the additional entry conditions regarding the time limit and temperature limit are not satisfied, an error related to the heater may be displayed on the display unit to guide the user with related information.

In addition, when the driving motor operates in the forward direction for ice separation, it is possible to detect whether the ice is full according to the change in signal of the sensor, and when it is detected that the ice bin 102 is not full of ice, rotate the lower tray to a maximum ice separation position to perform ice separation. In this case, the operation of rotating the lower tray to the maximum ice separation position may be performed at least twice to prevent a phenomenon in which ice is remained in the tray.

In addition, when it is detected that the ice bin 102 is full of ice, the driving motor may be rotated in the reverse direction to return the lower tray to the initial position (water supply position) and the heater may be turned off. In addition, by rotating the driving motor in the forward direction at a set cycle, it is possible to detect whether the ice is full again.

When the driving motor is rotated in the reverse direction, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which the lower tray is incorrectly detected as having reached the initial position even before returning to the initial position by not determining the change in signal of the sensor for a short initial time. As an example, the short initial time may be 1.5 to 2.5 seconds.

In addition, when the ice bin 102 is initially detected as being full of ice and the full ice is released, control for ice separation may be easily performed by turning on the heater to provide the amount of heat for the ice separation, waiting for a reference time, and then performing the ice separation.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include first and second trays provided in a storage compartment and defining an ice chamber, an ice bin 102 that stores ice produced in the ice chamber, a driving part 180 that moves the lower tray 250, a heater that supplies heat to any one or more of the first and second trays, and a full ice detection device 950 that detects whether the ice bin 102 is full of ice.

A method for controlling the refrigerator may include: moving the lower tray 250 to a water supply position and supplying water into an ice chamber; when water supply to the lower tray 250 has been completed, moving the lower tray 250 to an ice making position and supplying cold air to the ice chamber; operating a heater provided at one side of the ice chamber when the temperature of the ice chamber is equal to or less than an ON reference temperature and and performing ice making; and when it is recognized that the ice making has been completed, turning on the heater and moving the lower tray 250 in the forward direction depending on whether time and temperature conditions are satisfied.

The method for controlling the refrigerator may further includes detecting whether the ice bin 102 is full of ice through the full ice detection device 950 while the lower tray 250 is moved in the forward direction.

The method for controlling the refrigerator may further include moving the lower tray 250 to the initial position in the reverse direction and again detecting whether the ice bin 102 is full of ice at a set cycle, when it is detected that the ice bin 120 is full of ice.

On the other hand, when it is detected that the ice bin 102 is not full of ice, the lower tray 250 is moved in the forward direction toward the maximum ice separation position and then in the reverse direction toward the initial position.

The turning on the heater and moving the lower tray 250 in the forward direction may include detecting whether the temperature of the ice chamber is equal to or greater than the ice separation reference temperature when a first reference time has elapsed after turning on the heater, and moving the lower tray 250 in the forward direction when the temperature of the ice chamber is equal to or greater than the ice separation reference temperature.

The method for controlling the refrigerator may further include detecting whether the temperature of the ice chamber is equal to or greater than an ice separation threshold temperature when a threshold reference time equal to or greater than the first reference time has elapsed.

When the temperature of the ice chamber is greater than or equal to the ice separation threshold temperature in a case where the threshold reference time has elapsed, the lower tray 250 is moved in the forward direction, and when the temperature of the ice chamber is less than the ice separation threshold temperature in a case where the threshold reference time has elapsed, the display of an error regarding the heater may be output.

The full ice detecting device 950 may include a Hall sensor provided in the driving part 180, and the detecting of whether the ice bin 102 is full of ice through the full ice detection device 950 may include detecting whether a change in signal of the Hall sensor has occurred within a full-ice detection reference time.

When a change in the signal of the Hall sensor has occurred within the full-ice detection reference time, it is detected that the ice bin 102 is full of ice, and when a change in the signal of the Hall sensor has not occurred until the full-ice detection reference time has elapsed, it is detected that the ice bin 102 is not full of ice.

The state in which it is detected that the ice bin 102 is not full of ice may include a state in which full ice is released after it is detected that the ice bin 102 is full of ice in a previous time interval, and in the state in which the full ice is released, the heater is turned on and the driving part 180 is turned off.

The method for controlling the refrigerator may further include recognizing whether a second reference time has elapsed since the heater is turned on in the state in which the full ice is released; and when the second reference time has elapsed, moving the lower tray 250 to the maximum ice separation position in the forward direction.

The state in which it is detected that the ice bin 102 is not full of ice may include a state in which the ice bin 102 is not full of ice for the first time after ice making has been completed and the method for controlling the refrigerator may further include moving the lower tray 250 to the maximum ice separation position in the forward direction in the state in which the ice bin 102 is not full of ice.

The method for controlling the refrigerator may further include moving the lower tray 250 from the maximum ice separation position to the initial position in the reverse direction when it is detected that the lower tray 250 has moved to the maximum ice separation position, and determining whether the number of times the lower tray 250 has reached the initial position is two or more.

When the number of times the lower tray 250 has reached the initial position is two or more, water may be supplied to the ice chamber, and when the number of times the lower tray 250 has reached the initial position is one, whether the ice bin 102 is full of ice may be re-detected.

When detecting that the ice bin 102 is full of ice, the lower tray 250 is moved to the initial position in the reverse direction, and after the lower tray 250 starts to be moved in the reverse direction, whether a change in the signal of the Hall sensor has occurred may be ignored for the initial set time.

The re-detecting of whether the ice bin 102 is full of ice at the set cycle may include turning off the heater and recognizing whether a preset waiting time has elapsed when the lower tray 250 is in the initial position.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an upper tray 150 provided in a storage compartment; a lower tray 250 provided to be movable from a position below the upper tray 150 to a water supply position, an ice making position, or a maximum ice separation position, the lower tray 250 being in contact with the upper tray 150 to define an ice chamber; an ice bin 102 for storing ice produced in the ice chamber; a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the ice chamber; a driving part 180 for moving the lower tray 250; a tray temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the ice chamber; a storage compartment temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the storage compartment; a heater positioned at one side of the upper tray 150 or the lower tray 250; a full ice detection device 950 for detecting whether the ice bin 102 is full of ice; and a controller for controlling the heater and the driving part 180.

When it is recognized that ice making in the ice chamber is completed, the controller may turn on the heater and move the lower tray 250 in a forward direction to detect whether the ice bin 102 is full of ice.

The controller may move the lower tray 250 in the reverse direction toward the initial position and re-detect whether the ice bin 102 is full of ice at a set cycle when it is detected that the ice bin 102 is full of ice, and move the lower tray 250 in the forward direction toward the maximum ice separation position and then move the lower tray 250 in the reverse direction toward the initial position again, when it is detected that the ice bin 102 is not full of ice.

The heater may include a lower heater positioned below the center of the ice chamber; and an upper heater positioned above the center of the ice chamber.

The full ice detection device 950 may include: the full ice detection lever coupled to the outside of the driving unit 180, a magnet provided inside the driving part 180, and a Hall sensor for detecting the magnet.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart for describing a process of making ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 39 is a view showing a state in which water supply has been completed while a lower tray is moved to a water supply position, FIG. 40 is a view showing a state in which a lower tray is moved to an ice making position, and FIG. 41 is a view showing a state in which ice making has been completed at an ice making position.

Referring to FIGS. 33 and FIGS. 39 to 41, in order to produce ice in the ice maker 100, the controller 800 moves the lower tray 250 to the water supply position (S1).

In this specification, the direction in which the lower tray 250 is moved from the ice making position of FIG. 40 to the ice separation position of FIG. 44 may be referred to as a forward movement (or forward rotation). On the other hand, a direction in which the lower tray 250 is moved from the separation position of FIG. 44 to the water supply position (initial position) of FIG. 39 may be referred to as a reverse movement (or reverse rotation).

When it is detected that the lower tray 250 has moved to the water supply position, the controller 800 may stop the driving part 180. Water supply is started when the lower tray 250 is moved to the water supply position (S62).

For water supply, the controller 800 may turn on a water supply valve 810 and when it is determined that water corresponding to a reference water supply amount is supplied, turn off the water supply valve 810. As an example, when a pulse is output from a flow sensor (not shown) and the output pulse reaches a reference pulse when water is being supplied, it may be determined that water corresponding to the amount of water supply is supplied.

After the water supply is completed, the controller 800 may control the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 to the ice making position (S63).

For example, the controller 800 may control the driving part 180 to move the lower tray 250 from the water supply position in the reverse direction. When the lower tray 250 is moved in the reverse direction, the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 may come closer to the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray 150.

Then, water between the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray 150 is divided and distributed into the plurality of lower chambers 252. When the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray 150 are completely in close contact with each other, the upper chamber 152 is filled with water.

The movement of the ice making position of the lower tray 250 is detected by a Hall sensor, and when it is detected that the lower tray 250 has been moved to the ice making position, the controller 800 may stop the driving part 180.

Ice making may be started when the lower tray 250 is moved to the ice making position (S64).

For example, when the lower tray 250 has reached the ice making position, ice making may be started. Alternatively, when the lower tray 250 has reached the ice making position and the water supply time has elapsed for a set time, ice making may be started.

When ice making is started, the controller 800 may control the cold air supply device 900 to supply cold air to the ice chamber 111.

After the ice making is started, the controller 800 may determine whether an ON condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied (S65).

For example, when the first set time has elapsed after ice making is started and the temperature detected by the tray temperature sensor 500 has reached an ON reference temperature, the controller 800 may determine that the ON condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied. For example, the first set time may be 15 minutes.

The ON reference temperature may be a temperature for determining that water has started to freeze at the uppermost portion (upper opening side) of the ice chamber 111. When a part of water freezes in the ice chamber 111, the temperature of ice in the ice chamber 111 is below zero.

The temperature of the upper tray 150 may be higher than the temperature of the ice in the ice chamber 111. Of course, although water is present in the ice chamber 111, a temperature detected by the tray temperature sensor 500 may be below zero after ice starts to be produced in the ice chamber 111.

Accordingly, in order to determine that ice has started to be produced in the ice chamber 111 based on the temperature detected by the tray temperature sensor 500, the ON reference temperature may be set to a temperature below zero. For example, the ON reference temperature may be set in the range of 0.8 to 1.2 degrees below zero. In particular, the ON reference temperature may be set to 1 degree below zero.

When the lower heater 296 is turned on (S66), heat from the lower heater 296 may be transferred to the inside of the ice chamber 111. The controller 800 may control the amount of heating of the lower heater 296 when the lower heater 296 is turned on. When ice making is performed while the lower heater 296 is turned on, ice may be produced from the uppermost portion in the ice chamber 111.

The lower heater 296 may be controlled according to a set logic. For example, the lower heater 296 may be controlled by being repeatedly turned on/off at a set cycle. In detail, the ON time of the lower heater 296 may be controlled according to time and temperature conditions based on the operation state according to the load of the refrigerator (S67).

When the control for the lower heater 296 is completed according to the set control logic, the lower heater 296 may be turned off, and the controller 800 may determine whether ice making has been completed.

For example, when the second set time has elapsed after the lower heater 296 is turned off and it is detected that the temperature detected by the tray temperature sensor 500 has reached a reference temperature for completion of ice making, the controller may be determined that the ice making has been completed. Specifically, the second set time may be 30 minutes, and the reference temperature for completion of ice making may be 10 degrees below zero (S69).

When the ice making has been completed, the ice separation control for ice separation is started (S70). When the storage compartment door of the refrigerator is opened at the time the ice separation control is started, the ice separation control may be delayed.

In addition, the ice separation control may be delayed for a predetermined time after the storage compartment door is closed. For example, the predetermined time may be 1 minute.

When the storage compartment door is opened after the ice separation control is started, the ice separation control may be continuously performed.

A detailed description related to the ice separation control will be described later with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 34 to 37 are flowcharts for describing an ice separation process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 42 is a view showing a lower tray at an initial stage of ice separation, FIG. 43 is a view showing the position of a lower tray in a full ice detection position, and FIG. 44 is a view showing a lower tray in an ice separation position.

Referring to FIGS. 34 to 37 and 42 to 44, when the ice separation control is started, the controller 800 may operate one or more of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296. For example, the controller 800 may operate both the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296. Hereinafter, a case in which both the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 are operated will be described as an example (S71).

When at least one of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 is turned on, the heat of the heaters 148 and 296 is transferred to at least one of the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 to separate ice from the surface (inner surface) of at least one of the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250.

In addition, the heat of the heaters 148 and 296 is transferred to the contact surface between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250, so that the lower surface 151 a of the upper tray 150 and the upper surface 251 e of the lower tray 250 may be in a separable state.

When the first reference time has elapsed after the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 are operated and the temperature of the ice chamber detected by the tray temperature sensor 500 is equal to or higher than an ice separation reference temperature, the driving motor of the driving part 180 for ice separation (or releasing) is operated in the forward direction without displaying the error of the heater on the display unit 980 (S72, S73 and S74).

For example, the first reference time may be determined in the range of 9 to 11 minutes, and the ice separation reference temperature may be determined in the range of 3.5 to 4.5° C. In particular, the first reference time may be determined to be 10 minutes, and the ice separation reference temperature may be determined to be 4° C.

When the lower tray 250 is moved in the forward direction as shown in FIG. 25, the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the upper tray 150.

The moving force of the lower tray 250 may be transferred to the upper ejector 300 by the connection unit 350. Then, the upper ejector 300 be lowered, so that the upper ejecting pin 320 passes through the upper opening 154 to press the ice in the ice chamber 111.

When the lower tray 250 is moved from the ice making position of FIG. 23 to the full-ice detection position of FIG. 26, whether the ice bin 102 is full of ice may be detected by the full ice detection device 950.

Whether the ice bin 102 is full of ice may be determined based on whether a change in signal of the hall sensor provided in the driving part 180 has occurred, for example, whether the signal is changed from LOW to HIGH within a full ice detection reference time.

That is, in a case where the ice bin 102 is full of ice, when a change (LOW->HIGH) in signal has occurred in the Hall sensor due to the interference between the full ice detection lever 700 and the ice, it is detected that the ice bin 102 is full of ice.

For example, the full ice detection reference time may be about 4.5 seconds. The time required for the full ice detection lever 700 to be moved from the ice making position to the full-ice detection position to cause a change in signal may be about 4.1 seconds.

Accordingly, when no change in signal of the hall sensor has occurred even after the full ice detection reference time (4.5 seconds) has elapsed, it may be determined that the ice bin 102 is not full of ice, that is, non-full ice or that full ice is released.

That is, when the ice bin 102 is not full of ice, the full ice detection lever 700 may be also moved to the full ice detection position while the lower tray 250 is rotated.

In a state in which the full ice detection lever 700 is moved to the full ice detection position, the detection body 700 maybe positioned below the lower assembly 200. For example, the full ice detection device 950 may detect whether the ice bin 102 is not full of ice when the lower tray 250 is positioned at the full ice detection position (S75 and S76).

On the other hand, when a change in signal of the hall sensor has occurred before the full ice detection reference time (4.5 seconds) has elapsed, it may be determined that the ice bin 102 is not full of ice (S93).

When it is determined in step S76 that the ice bin 102 is not full of ice or full ice is released, it may be determined whether the ice bin 102 has been full of ice in a previous state.

That is, when it is detected that the ice is full at first after ice separation control is started and subsequently is not full, it is determined that the full ice is released (S78).

On the other hand, when it is detected that the ice is not full from the beginning after the ice separation control is started, it is determined that the ice is not full (S83).

When it is determined in step S78 that full ice is released in the ice bin 102, the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 are turned on (after performing S93 to S97, which will be described later, since the ice is full initially), the driving motor may be turned off. That is, a preparation step for performing ice separation may be performed (S79 and S80).

After the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 are turned on, it is determined whether a second reference time for ice separation has elapsed. The second reference time may be determined to be a time value for which the amount of heat of the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 is sufficiently transferred to the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250. For example, the second reference time may be identical to the first reference time (S81).

When the second reference time has elapsed, the driving motor may be operated in the forward direction (S82). Specifically, for ice separation, the controller 800 may operate the driving part 180 such that the lower tray 250 is moved in the forward direction.

In the process of moving the lower tray 250 in the forward direction, it is recognized whether the maximum ice position has been reached. When the lower tray 250 has not reached the maximum ice separation position, the lower tray 250 may be moved in the forward direction until the lower tray 250 reaches the maximum ice separation position.

When the lower tray 250 is moved to the ice separation position, the lower tray 250 may come into contact with the lower ejecting pin 420.

In a state in which the lower tray 250 is in contact with the lower ejecting pin 420, the lower tray 250 is continuously rotated in the forward direction, and reaches the maximum ice separation position as shown in FIG. 27.

Further, in the maximum ice separation position, the lower ejecting pin 420 may press the lower tray 250 to deform the lower tray 250 and the pressing force of the lower ejecting pin 420 may be transferred to the ice, so that the ice may be separated from the surface of the lower tray 250. The ice separated from the surface of the lower tray 250 may fall downward and be stored in the ice bin 102 (S84).

After the ice is separated from the lower tray 250, the lower tray 250 may be rotated in the reverse direction by the driving part 180 again (S85).

Then, it is recognized whether the lower tray 250 has reached the initial position. That is, the lower tray 250 may be rotated to the initial position (water supply position) in the reverse direction (S86).

When the lower tray 250 has reached the initial position, counting for the number of ice separations is performed (S87).

It is determined whether the number of ice separations has reached two. The reason why whether the number of ice separations has reached two is determined is to increase reliability for ice separation by performing the ice separation at least two times because there is possibility that there may be ice that has not yet been separated from the lower tray 250 even though the ice separation has been performed in step S84.

When the number of ice separations is two, ice separation control is terminated. On the other hand, when the ice separation is performed only once for the first time, the process returns to step S74 and the subsequent steps may be performed again (S88).

In step S72, when it is detected that the temperature of the ice chamber is lower than the ice separation reference temperature even though the first reference time for ice has elapsed, it waits until a third reference time (threshold reference time) has elapsed. The third reference time is a time value greater than the first reference time and may be, for example, about 15 minutes.

After waiting until the third reference time has elapsed, it is recognized whether the temperature of the ice chamber has reached the ice separation threshold temperature. The ice separation threshold temperature may have a temperature value lower than the ice separation reference temperature. For example, the ice separation threshold temperature may be about 0° C.

That is, when the temperature of the tray rises to the minimum temperature (the ice separation threshold temperature) even though the temperature of the tray does not rise to a sufficient temperature for ice separation, ice separation is possible, and therefore ice separation control may be performed.

Accordingly, when the temperature of the ice chamber is equal to or greater than the ice separation threshold temperature at the time when the third reference time has elapsed, the upper/lower heaters are turned on (or kept in an ON state) and subsequent steps to step S73 may be performed (S92).

On the other hand, when the temperature of the ice chamber is equal to or lower than the ice separation threshold temperature even though the third reference time has elapsed, it is recognized that the heater is in an abnormal operation state and the upper/lower heaters may be turned off (S90).

Then, a heater error may be displayed on the display unit 980 (S31).

When a change in signal of the Hall sensor has occurred before the full ice detection reference time has elapsed in step S75, that is, when full ice of the ice bin 102 is detected through the full ice detection device 950, the lower tray 250 is moved in the reverse direction through the reverse operation of the driving motor (S93 and S94).

When the driving motor is operated in the reverse direction, the change in signal of the Hall sensor may not be determined during an initial short time (initial set time). The reason for this is to omit position detection for the initial short time, considering that a malfunction may occur when the full ice detection lever 700 is operated in the reverse direction after full ice detection or a defect in position detection may occur due to an impact.

That is, this is to prevent the phenomenon of recognizing that the lower tray is in the initial position even though the lower tray has not moved to the initial position in the reverse direction.

For example, the short time may be about 1.5 to 2.5 seconds. In particular, the short time may be 2 seconds.

The reverse operation of the driving motor may be performed until the initial position is reached. When it is recognized that the initial position has not been reached during the reverse operation of the driving motor, the reverse operation of the driving motor may be continued (S95 and S98).

When it is recognized that the lower tray 250 has reached the initial position, the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296 may be turned off and the lower tray 250 may stand by for a preset waiting time. The waiting time may be 60 minutes.

When the waiting time has elapsed, control for full ice detection subsequent to S74 may be performed.

That is, when full ice is detected and ice separation is not performed, the upper/lower heaters 148 and 296 are turned off and full ice may be again detected at a set cycle that is set to the waiting time (S96 and S97).

In this way, when the ice separation control has been completed, the controller 800 may start water supply after the lower tray 250 is moved to the water supply position. Then, the steps subsequent to S61 described with reference to FIG. 33 may be performed again.

In the ice separation control method, when the ice separation control is started, ice separation may be easily performed by operating the heater for ice separation and rotating the lower tray by operating the driving motor in the forward direction.

On the other hand, it is possible to detect whether the ice is full during the ice separation, identify a case of non-full ice, a case of full ice, or a case where full ice is released after ice has been full for the first time and control the position of the lower tray and whether to the heater, thus performing stable ice separation.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The refrigerator and the method for controlling the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure are not only used in various fields such as home and industrial sites, but also have industrial applicability because ease of use and stability are improved. 

1. A method for controlling a refrigerator having an ice maker that includes a first tray and a second tray provided in a storage space and rotatably coupled to each other, the first and second trays being configured to come together to define a ice chamber, a driving part that is configured to rotate the second tray, a first heater provided in and configured to heat the first tray, a second heater provided in and configured to heat the second tray, an ejector provided below the second tray and configured to press an external portion of the second tray to separate ice from the second tray when the second tray is rotated for ice separation, and a controller configured to control an operation of the ice maker, the method comprising, starting ice making by supplying water to the ice chamber; heating the second tray by turning on the second heater during ice making; heating the first tray by turning on the first heater for ice separation after completion of ice making; and heating the second tray by turning on the second heater for ice separation.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second heater is turned on after the first heater is turned on for ice separation after the completion of ice making.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein, after the first heater is turned on, the second heater is turned on based on a temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the ice chamber reaching a first reference temperature within a first reference period of time.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein, after the first heater is turned on, the second heater is turned on based on a temperature detected by a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the ice chamber reaching a first reference temperature.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein, after the first heater is turned on, the second heater is turned on based on a time that has elapsed after one of the first heater or the second heater is turned on reaching a first reference time.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising: simultaneously or sequentially turning off the first heater and the second heater.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: simultaneously or sequentially turning off the first heater and the second heater based on a time that has elapsed after the second heater is turned on reaching a set time.
 8. The method of claim 6, further comprising: simultaneously or sequentially turning off the first heater and the second heater based on a temperature detected by a temperature sensor reaching an OFF reference temperature within a set time after the second heater is turned on.
 9. The method of claim 6, further comprising: simultaneously or sequentially turning off the first heater and the second heater based on a temperature detected by a temperature sensor reaching an OFF reference temperature after the second heater is turned on.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: operating the driving part to start rotating the second tray based on the first heater and the second heater being turned off.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: operating the driving part after operating one of the first heater or the second heater for a predetermined time based on a change in signal not being detected within a set time in a position detection sensor while the driving part is operating.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: determining, by the controller, whether the second tray has reached an initial position for ice making within the predetermined time; and repeatedly performing control operations to operate the driving part such that one of the first heater or the second heater is operated and the second tray is moved to the initial position based on determining that the second tray has reached an initial position for ice making within the predetermined time.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: outputting, by the controller, an error signal through an output unit based on a number of repetitions of the controller reaching a reference number.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the ice maker includes a full ice detection device configured to detect whether an ice bin is full of ice, and wherein the starting to rotate the second tray further includes detecting whether the ice bin is full of ice through the full ice detection device.
 15. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet that defines a storage space; an ice maker provided inside the storage space and configured to make ice through supply of cold air; and a controller configured to control an operation of the ice maker, wherein the ice maker includes: a first tray defining an upper portion of an ice chamber in which ice is produced; a second tray defining a lower portion of the ice chamber and made of a deformable material; a driving part configured to rotate the second tray; a first heater provided at the first tray and configured to heat the first tray based on being turned on during ice separation; a second heater provided at the first second tray and configured to heat the second tray based on being turned on during ice making, and an ejector provided below the second tray and configured to separate ice from the second tray by pressing the second tray that is rotated for ice separation, wherein the second heater is configured to be turned on during ice separation to heat the second try.
 16. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the second heater is configured to be turned on after the first heater is turned on for ice separation after ice making has been completed.
 17. The refrigerator of claim 16, wherein the first heater and the second heater are configured to be simultaneously or sequentially turned off based on a time that has elapsed after the second heater is turned reaching a set time.
 18. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to, based on a change in signal not being detected within a set time in a position detection sensor while the driving part is operating, operate the driving part such that the second tray is moved to an initial position after operating the second heater for a reference time.
 19. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to: determine whether the second tray has reached an initial position within a predetermined time, and repeatedly perform control to operate the driving part such that the second heater is operated for the reference time and the second tray is moved to the initial position based on the controller determining that the second tray has reached an initial position for ice making within the predetermined time.
 20. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the second tray is located below the first tray, wherein the first heater is in contact with the second tray, and wherein the second heater is in contact with the first tray. 